#AmphanEffect: Green warriors pledge to restore Kolkata’s lungs

A conservative estimate pegs the total number of trees felled by the monstrous super cyclone Amphan at 5,500 in Kolkata. Most of them being mature trees – including the 270-year-old Great Banyan Tree at Botanical Gardens – experts have warned of serious impact on the city’s micro climate, biodiversity and oxygen cover.
While the uprooted trunks have destroyed homes and public amenities, cutting off electricity and water supply, it is heartening to see committed green warriors roll up their sleeves and get into action.They have started the long and arduous process of planting new trees, restore fallen ones, and have pledged to do whatever they can to restore the city’s green shield. Some of them have urged city planners to reconsider trees with shallow roots such as Kadam. Veteran environmentalist Biswajit Roy Chowdhury said: “Thousands of Kadam trees had been planted in Kolkata, but the tree has a very shallow root and cannot sustain powerful winds. Same with Gulmohar,” he added. Even then, there is hope. “It might take time, but Kolkata will get back its green cover and we all will work until we achieve that,” said environmentalist Somenath Pal Das.
The lungs of Kolkata destroyed
All major clubs – Tollygunge Club, Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) and Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC) – considered as the lungs of the city have sustained massive damages. Anil Mukherjee, CEO of Tollygunge Club, said that more than 73 century-old trees were destroyed at the club. At RCTC, more than 50 trees have fallen. “Thankfully, no human or animals were hurt. But it’s irreversible damage,” said Kanchan Jana, secretary. Both clubs have started the inspection process and are hopeful at least some of these old trees will be restored. “Some old Gulmohar (Royal Poinciana) and Jacaranda trees were uprooted. But we will not rest until we restore at least some of them,” said Anil.
Joggers’ paradise turned hell
At Rabindra Sarobar Lake and Eco Park respectively, 220 and 400 trees were uprooted by Amphan. Sarobar activist Mudar Patherya has also started working on replanting the fallen trees. “After Cyclone Aila in 2009, we replanted six trees and they all survived Amphan. We are planning to do the same this time, even though the damages are far worse,” he said, adding that from today a census of Sarobar will be conducted and a strategy put in place accordingly.
Debasis Sen, chairman, HIDCO, said that on Saturday they restored and replanted around 100 trees in the New Town area. For the
upcoming plantation drive, “Trees with deeper root structure and lesser leaves will be given high priority,” he added.
Lone Warriors
Even as the government, the army and larger private organisations stay focused on restoring infrastructure, there are individuals who are already doing their bit for the trees. Somenath Pal Das (in pic below), an environmentalist, started planting trees on Saturday in his locality. “I am carefully cutting a small brunch and replanting it at any available spot. Besides, I am also collecting seeds from fallen trees so that when the space is cleared out,” he added.
Replantation -- inexpensive, effective
Environmentalists say that the fastest way to restore the green cover is replantation because a 100-year-old tree works as an independent ecosystem. If it is replaced by a sapling it will take another 100 years to achieve that ecosystem. Chandan Ghosh, a replantation expert, said that he has been getting numerous calls after Amphan and it is possible to replant trees. “If the root structure is even partly intact, the trees can be replanted,” he added. According to estimates, replanting six trees would cost Rs 12,000.