Tree ambulance launched by Pune Municipal Corporation
By Antara Kulkarni
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) launched the city's first tree ambulance on World Environment Day on June 5. The initiative aims to protect, conserve, and restore the trees of the city. The service was inaugurated by president of NGO AngholichiGoli (Bath Pill) Madhav Patil, alongside PMC Commissioner Naval Kishor Ram, Additional Municipal Commissioner Prithviraj B.P., and PMC Garden Department Head Ashok Ghorpade.
Patil said, 'It will work to heal the trees… it's all about giving respect to trees. This movement is necessary to introduce a balance between tree cutting and tree preservation,' says Patil. After launching a 'Nail-Free Tree' initiative, the NGO claims to have removed more than 1 lakh nails from trees.
The Tree Ambulance is equipped to protect the trees from the issue of nails. Patil encouraged Ghorpade to partner up with various NGOs in different parts of Pune that operate the Tree Ambulance. Each NGO in their area in Pune is assigned a separate day of the week where they can use the Tree Ambulance to clean and preserve the trees in that area, so that the vehicle can be utilised in the most effective way possible.
The tree ambulance is now located at Jangali Maharaj Road, and has contact numbers displayed so that concerned citizens can inform its operators about where its services may be utilised best.
(Antara Kulkarni is an intern with The Indian Express)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Volunteers hold a 4-hour placard vigil every day on Padil–BC Road to curb waste dumping
Mangaluru: In a unique citizen-driven initiative, volunteers have united under the campaign 'Swachategagi Nammondige Neevu, Nimmondige Naavu' to combat the growing issue of waste dumping along the national highway from Padil to BC Road. Launched on World Environment Day, the campaign is a collaborative effort by the Dakshina Kannada district administration, zilla panchayat, Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural), and the gram panchayats of Adyar, Pudu, Thumbe, and Kallige, along with Hasiru Dala, a social impact organisation. Last year, for more than three months, from 5.30am to 9.30am, Nagaraj Raghav Anchan, project manager at Hasiru Dala, stood holding placards at Adyar, urging citizens to stop dumping waste by the roadside, reminding them that it could eventually pollute the Nethravati River. He took up a similar exercise in 2021 when he stood for over three hours daily near the Kallapu stretch of the Nethravati bridge with a similar appeal. He told TOI, "Despite such efforts, illegal dumping between Padil and BC Road worsened, with 20 to 30 black spots identified. Concerned over the growing menace, Anchan approached zilla panchayat deputy secretary Jayalakshmi Raikod. Jayalakshmi is taking the lead in this campaign and has launched 'Waste Dumping Control Squad'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 오스템 임플란트 받아가세요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo These squads, comprising gram panchayat members and Hasiru Dala volunteers, are now stationed at black spots every morning, holding placards and discouraging irresponsible waste disposal. So far, about 20 teams have been formed with support from local panchayats, in addition to a Hasiru Dala team. Plans are also in place to involve schools, youth clubs, and community organisations, encouraging them to dedicate at least one day to the cause. The campaign will continue for the next three months." Anchan said volunteers are also documenting reasons cited by offenders for dumping waste. "Eventually, if violations persist, the panchayat will begin imposing fines. We are hopeful of reducing roadside dumping by at least 90%," he added. The team is also considering deploying volunteers from 8pm to 11pm, a period identified as peak time for illegal dumping. MP takes note The campaign drew attention from Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, who spotted Nagaraj with a placard at Arkula on Friday evening. In a post on X, the MP wrote, "In a world where everyone talks of problems, there are few who take it upon themselves to be part of the solution. Glad to have met Nagraj, who was standing by the roadside at Arkula, holding a placard urging people not to throw garbage by the roadside. More power to such thoughtful citizens who are ensuring Swachh Bharat, as envisioned by our Prime Minister is a reality by relentlessly pursuing it. "The MP said that NH development works are expected to be taken up on this stretch soon and assured him of his support in getting the area cleaned.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Business Standard
Saving the Aravallis: Political and bureaucratic buy-in is critical
It is worth noting that the bulk of the degradation of the Aravallis is the result of plain illegal activities, costing state governments crores of rupees in revenue Business Standard Editorial Comment Mumbai Listen to This Article Given the scale of destruction of the Aravallis, one of India's oldest mountain ranges, the launch of the Aravalli Green Wall project on June 5, World Environment Day, has not come a day too soon. Inspired by Africa's Great Green Wall project to regreen the Sahel, the Indian version aims to reforest 700 km of the range in 29 districts in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. The broad plan is to supplant destructive alien species with native species on scrubland, wasteland and degraded forest and restore water bodies to create an additional 2.5 billion tonnes of carbon sink, as India
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Civic body starts drive to plant native trees, increase green cover in Pune
Pune: The civic body has launched a sapling distribution drive as part of its Van Mahotsav initiative which is an attempt to increase city's green cover with native trees. Citizens and NGOs may purchase native saplings, including neem, jamun, tamarind and banyan, among many others, between June 5 and Aug 14. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The saplings are already aged from 1 year to 1.5 years and available for Rs5 at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) nursery in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Garden on JM Road. Organic fertiliser made by PMC's waste processing unit will also be provided with the aim to make the initiative sustainable from roots up. Citizens are encouraged to collect the saplings, take full responsibility to care for them and plant them in societies, open spaces, institutions and around their homes and vicinity. The idea is to create a long-term ecological impact. PMC officials said native trees reduce dust, cool urban temperature, require minimal upkeep and help recharge groundwater. "Ours is not just a tree-planting drive, but an effort to create a greener future. We're prioritising planting native species like neem, jamun, banyan, tamarind and amla, since these are hardy, water-efficient and vital for the city's ecosystem. They support native birds, bees and soil health, something that exotic ornamental trees don't," said civic horticulture inspector Vilas Dhoble. "There's growing interest, especially among young citizens who are environmentally conscious and want to be hands-on with climate action. More people are approaching us for saplings and advice on soil care, planting, composting and so on," added Dhoble. The department plans to distribute 80,000 plants, giving as many as 10 per person. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiative is receiving enthusiastic participation. "We picked up two jamun trees for our housing society. We wanted trees that give back to the environment and last a lifetime," said Rutuja Mane, a resident of Kothrud. "We picked up neem and jackfruit saplings with our kids. They're excited to water them every day; it's a small but meaningful way to make a difference," said Jyoti Kulkarni, a resident of Aundh. Recently, PMC planted 100 ayurvedic and fruit-bearing trees in Dahanukar Colony, in collaboration with the Ayurvedic Research Centre. Earlier this month, PMC also conducted a seed-ball throwing activity at Bopdev Ghat, where volunteers scattered native seeds to encourage forest regeneration on barren patches of land.
