Kolkata: The tree ambulance launched by Kolkata Municipal Corporation last year is now doing rounds in some of the prime areas under the city’s Central Business District (CBD) to free full-grown trees of the multiple nails that have been inserted by the advertisers to display their products and services.According to a KMC parks department official, last month, the ambulance was sent to Middleton Row to save several full-grown trees that were nailed by advertisers displaying ads for paying guest houses and private tutorial centres. “We were sent to Middleton Row and its adjoining areas to spot multiple trees that were nailed by advertisers. With the help of the tree ambulance we removed 25 illegal boards from trees from Middleton Row alone. We have communicated to the advertisers that these trees are not billboards. These trees suffer as much as human beings suffer from such barbaric act,” said Sanjay Jaisingh of Mithri Mitti, an NGO with whom KMC has signed an agreement to operate the tree ambulance for taking care of the ailing trees across the city.An official conceded that some advertisers have again nailed trees in the Park Street-Middleton Street-Camac Street belt for displaying commercial products.Apart from nailing of trees, KMC parks department is also assigned to remove decorative lights from trees across the city following protests from citizens and a section of environmentalists. TOI had also carried a report on this menace highlighting how a section of owners of restaurants or other commercial establishments are attracting their customers by illuminating trees in front of their premises.According to an official, who is part of the team that is conducting a drive against nailing of trees, the civic body has identified several major thoroughfares, where this practice has been going on for a long time. For instance, the official pointed out places like Shakespeare Sarani, Sadar Street, Camac Street and Wood Street where KMC has served notices to remove nails from trees.“We will be conducting the drive in phases. In the first phase, we have asked traders of Shakespeare Sarani, Camac Street, Wood Street and Sadar Street to remove commercial boards and decorative lights from trees. In the next phase, we will take up several major thoroughfares in Ballygunge-Rashbehari Avenue belt and ask for removal of lights,” said a KMC lighting official.According to Ranjit Samanta, a horticulturist, hanging decorative lights on trees does enough damage to a tree. “Often the traders who hang decorative lights on trees nail these trees mindlessly. This sometimes does irreparable damage to a tree,” Samanta said. This apart, several species of birds that take shelter on a full-grown tree at night are also harmed due to use of excessive lights, felt Samanta.The mobile emergency service for the city’s nailed trees will provide diagnosis, treatment, relocation, planting and public awareness. One can dial the toll-free helpline 18001236219 for free tree maintenance-related service in their locality.
