The Horticulture Department of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has recently announced plans to triple its tree ambulance fleet by 2024. This expansion means that each of the city’s 12 administrative zones will have a dedicated tree ambulance, thus improving the efficiency of tree care in Delhi.
Understanding Tree Ambulances
Tree Ambulance is an innovative initiative focused on supporting the “save trees” movement, with the broader objective of conserving our planet. The inaugural phase of this initiative was launched on the International Day for Biological Diversity—22 May 2019—in Chennai. The service was inaugurated by the Vice President of India, signifying the importance of this project.
Operated by botanists, forestry experts, gardeners, volunteers, and tree surgeons, these tree ambulances provide critical support to trees and plants in need. They are equipped to respond to emergencies reported through their dedicated helpline, offering free services to help revive ailing plants and trees.
Origins and Aims of the Tree Ambulance Project
The brainchild of Chennai-based environmentalist K Abdul Ghani, popularly known as the “Green Man of India,” the Tree Ambulance initiative was developed as a response to the widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Vardah and Cyclone Gaja. Ghani saw the need for a platform to combat climate change actively by replanting uprooted trees and took action.
In addition to rescue and replantation efforts, Tree Ambulances also provide other important services. These include “first aid treatment for damaged trees, seed banking, seed ball distribution, plant distribution, aiding tree plantation, shifting relocated trees, surveying trees, and removal of dead trees.”
The Impact and Significance of Tree Ambulance Services
The Tree Ambulance service is rapidly gaining momentum across India, contributing significantly to the revitalization of sick and dying plants. By doing so, they are playing a crucial role in mitigating the “urban heat islands” effect—a phenomenon where city areas experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas.
These mobile tree care units also contribute to biodiversity protection by ensuring the health and survival of various plant species. Their work is not just limited to the cities; they also extend their services to rural and forested areas, thus ensuring a broad-scale impact on preserving India’s rich and diverse flora.
Through these efforts, the Tree Ambulance project is shaping up to be an essential tool in the country’s fight against climate change, urban heating, and biodiversity loss. As the nation marches forward to a greener and more sustainable future, Tree Ambulances continue to pave the way, one tree at a time.
