In what is touted to be the country's first crowdfunded tree translocation, four trees, which otherwise would have been axed, in Sarjapur in Bengaluru are ready to be relocated.
The Sarjapur Resident Welfare Association (SRWA) had started an online crowdfunding campaign last month to translocate the trees that stood on the stretch of a road widening project currently being carried out in the area.
"We collected Rs 3 lakh from the campaign and have decided to translocate four trees instead of three as we had earlier planned to," Jagadeesh, President of SRWA, told The News Minute.
The four trees include three Peepal and one Neem.
The translocation is being carried out by Jayam Landscape, a Chennai-based company, and is also being over seen by conservationist Vijay Nishanth.
"Three trees have been adopted by a school and one by an association in the area. The trees will be replanted in the school and residential complex's campus," Jagadeesh said.
The process began on Friday when all the trees were pruned so that they can be transported easily.
On Saturday morning, root balls were prepared. This involves digging a trench around the tree and securing its roots. The roots are then treated with chemicals and packed in gunny bags.
"We got help from the forest department and the BBMP while pruning the trees to ensure that no electric lines were damaged. We then prepared root balls and we should translocate the trees to their new destination by Saturday evening," he said.
Also read: Sarjapur residents are crowdfunding to translocate trees that will be cut down to widen roads