Several hundreds of well-grown trees along the Chithode-Gobi road that is poised for four-laning are to be uprooted and transplanted. The transplantation of 30 to 40 trees carried out by the Highways Department have been successful. District Collector S. Prabakar has been personally monitoring the progress of the tree transplantations carried out in Perundurai and Bhavani areas over the last one year.
Pungan, Vembu and even coconut trees have been transplanted successfully in the district, according to Chandrasekar, Chief Executive Officer of Olirum Erodu Foundation that had in the past organised orientation program for officials of Revenue and Highways Departments on the methodology.
According to official sources, the transplantation is preceded by preliminary root investigation, health diagnosis of the tree and treatment of infected trees.
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The pits where the trees are dug taking into consideration the environmental requirement: light conditions, moisture, soil pH, and wind exposure. Experts have been involved for pruning roots and initiating fresh root growth. Wherever required, scaffolding is provided for a couple of months for external support, an employee of the Highways Department involved in the transplantation work, said. In most cases, uprooted trees have been transplanted at closer locations to prevent damage to the root system. Environmental impact will be prevented entirely in view of the four-laning project along the nearly 30-km Chithode-Gobi stretch, Mr. Prabakar assured farmers during the last grievance redressal meeting.