Mr. Ramachandra Appari, Managing Director, Green Morning Horticulture Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad, Telangana, talks about balancing construction and trees: eco-protection tips.
Often, we hear discussions on what we are leaving for the next generation, especially greenery. We, at Green Morning Horticulture Pvt Ltd, are into tree transplantation since 2010. Sustainable development is use of production services in a way to minimise the impact on environment and optimise resources to satisfy human needs. But we always want to grab as much possible and remain on top. We have to stick to the principles of nature which is very important and preserve the same for the next generation so that the resources do not get exhausted. We have since long left ecology out of economics and economics out of ecology. So, our company wanted to achieve the integration. We saw that they were trying to widen a two lane road, which had lot of trees on both sides for many years, they were growing on their own, giving shadow, into a four lane road. So there was a need to cut the trees. But many people and NGOs would not allow that. But we had to go ahead with the widening also as it was causing delayed traffic and accidents. So, we wanted to save trees integrating both development and ecology. We thought upon transplantation of the trees which was a new concept then. We planned in such a way that we do not have to cut the trees from the ground but cut only the roots only to some extent which would have spread for 20 metres at least and make a root ball. Then we planned to lift the trees, put them on trailers, shift them to a place where we could plant them. We felt that this concept would help in saving the trees, integration of development, and ecology sustenance.
About one third of GDP in India depends on nature fully and another one third fairly. 55% of our rural community depends on nature and forest ecosystem. They used to indiscriminately cut trees, including poachers, tree cutters, but slowly the mindset started changing. The government is placing lot of emphasis on sustaining economy with ecology. We are slowly realising the importance of trees which help in reducing air pollution, releasing oxygen, etc. The High Court has come up with a committee to assess the value of a tree, and so FRI, Dehradun conducted the research and concluded that each tree is valued at Rs. 75 lakhs. So the court has instructed that we have to integrate trees in each of the projects as they are important. The trees are also important for air purification, reducing dust, sustaining biodiversity for birds, animals, and flora. Cutting of trees happen not only in widening of roads, but also in mining, construction of factories, bullet train projects which have started in India recently etc. Trees are cut for smaller apartments or villas constructions, but we pick up from the root, transplant them, and see that they are given second life.
We have transplanted nearly 1.5 lakh trees throughout the country with a survival rate of 70% which depends on health of the tree, soil, terrain conditions, etc. Gulmohar trees have 90% survival, but trees like neem, mango, jackfruit are difficult to transplant and have 50% survival chance only.
In countries like Singapore and Dubai and western world, trees are lifted entirely and carried in trailer However, this is difficult in Indian Conditions due to underground and overhead utilities.
The first step we follow is cut the roots to a certain length depending on the size and girth of the tree, prune the branches to negate the ill effects of transpiration and to help in transportation of the tree. We retain the root ball, pack it with gunny cloth, which is known as burlapping of the root ball, pull it with crane, and carry it with crane if it is a short distance, otherwise we load on trailer and then plant the tree. We have done this with areca palm tree, coconut trees, and banyan trees too. Then we treat them with chemicals and nutrients the tree requires. We have put one such banyan tree at the entrance of a villa project which invited lot of appreciation.
We can often not even recognise if the trees were transplanted or original ones. We can see 100% survival chance with coconut trees and palm trees. We have transplanted trees to Kanha Shantivanam, a spiritual organisation who approved of our request to transplant the cut trees. We have transplanted Sal trees in Odisha, are empanelled with government of Andhra Pradesh, entered into MoU with Volvo, etc. In Delhi, there is a policy that we cannot cut or prune a tree which is a nonbailable offence. Only 6 agencies have been approved to do such work, and we are one of them. We have worked for Pune Metro Rail project where the survival rate of the transplanted trees is more than 90%. We are working for restoration of trees in PM’s residence, office, parliament, Central secretariat, and Thalsena Bhavan, the army headquarters in Delhi.
The first step in transplantation of trees is the pruning of trees, which is to reduce the gas exchange. During transpiration, since we have cut the roots, the capacity of the trees to absorb water reduces, there will be dehydration for the trees. We do not touch the structure of the tree when pruning. We apply chemicals once the transplantation is over, and it takes 30 days for it to rejuvenate on its own to confirm if it has survived or not. Only after 3 months we can say if the sprouts are growing. So, as transplantation expert, our duty is to catalyse the whole process quickly before the starch that gives the sprouts gets over. So, the shape of the tree is retained, and we can see proper growth afterwards. If pruning is not done scientifically or the structure not retained, the trees may not survive. The roots have to be preserved perfectly. We have to ensure all the systems, such as leaf system, root system, root system, and shoot system are compromised for its regeneration. Earlier people did not awareness about the trees transplantation, but now people are ready to save the trees, and people with farmhouses in and around the city are ready to adopt the trees. So, we take the trees and plant them there for the people to take care. People are developing awareness about environment protection.
How can development and construction companies minimise the environmental impact when building in and around existing trees?
We must start tree preservation planning from the beginning i.e. at the time of design. Important is to make construction design, where minimum trees are affected. For trees which need to be translocated, receptor area should be finalised beforehand. If there are 20 trees in the project, it is not same for all of them as there are methodologies involved. When there are species that have only 40 to 50% chances of survival, we request construction companies to plan hardening period, so they have to plan well in advance and give buffer space to shift the trees to the nearest park, temple or within project site. This type of homework is very much needed for the construction companies. The mindset of cutting trees and selling the branches for extra money should be altered and there should be genuine concern for nature and conservation of ecology.
As use case, A triplex villa project builder in Hyderabad, decided to have banyan tree transplanted within project site. The Transplanted tree became focal point of the project because of which he could sell 8 extra villas. So, such innovative ideas are essential for builders, for which planning is important about tree transplantation which shall help to preserve them and in turn increase the aesthetics of project itself.
What are the key principles for preserving trees during construction projects to maintain ecological balance? Can you provide examples of successful construction projects that incorporate eco protection measures to safeguard trees and natural habitats?
For tree preservation project, Tree Transplantation is only 50% activity, another 50% is to maintain the transplanted trees and ensuring no interference during tree establishment phase due to ongoing construction activities etc. I have seen in many places the construction materials being dumped near the trees. The arms of excavator hit the trees which damage the tree and kill it. Proper mitigation, protection from cement and other dust are important. We should have a horticulturist from the beginning of the project. Many people think and plan for a horticulturist when they reach the end of the project, but it should not be so. A horticulturist is important from the day one along with the design plans even before the building and construction work start. His involvement is very essential. Nowadays, Almost all construction companies such as Sobha, Prestige, Baagmane, in Bangalore, and other companies in Hyderabad have inclination towards trees and have dedicated horticulturist to overlook tree preservation and other softscape. Tree Transplantation industry, has been evolving since the last 12 years, and people nowadays do not want to cut the trees. They plan transplantation first and then construction of projects.
How does the presence of trees contribute to sustainable and ecofriendly urban development? What are the legal and regulatory measures to ensure protection of trees during construction, and how they can be strengthened?
The importance of trees in urban settings is too high. The biodiversity, amount of oxygen it gives, the dust it covers, and the amount of shade it gives, the amount of business in the urban setting, the help to flora and fauna, there are many such advantages of trees in urban settings. Without trees, urban settings can never exist, and the whole city would come to zero and standstill. So trees have their own importance in urban settings. In India, the awareness is improving. Many laws are coming up as the means of saving the trees. Please started opposing cutting of trees, and the courts also did not have any answer for this, whether to go for construction activities by cutting the trees or preserving the trees and not go for construction activities. So the state governments have come up with different laws such as Delhi where pruning or cutting of trees is an offence to reduce the pollution level. Similarly, governments of Karnataka, Gujarat, and Bihar also have their own laws. The awareness, however, is yet to reach the pinnacle.
What innovative technology or construction methods can be used to protect trees and promote sustainable building practices simultaneously? What steps can houseowners take to ensure the protection and health of trees during the residential construction or renovation process?
The green building concept where the buildings are evaluated based on the green technologies followed, transplantation of trees, minimum use of A/cs, solar systems, less electricity usage, and zero or no wastage from the house. The Godrej green building concept is really picking up, and people are endorsing the ratings to the best extent possible. Technologies such as tree radar equipment to know if a tree is healthy or not, how to save them, make some design alterations to the construction project, and ensure the tree is intact. Nowadays we see people making a hole in the slab for the trees to come up. There are bends in the compound walls to preserve the trees. The trees are not touched during construction activities. Transplantation comes as a last resort to preserve the tree, if it is in the middle of the site, we are unable to make changes in the plans, and we have to work on plans so that the trees are not cut but saved.
How can we create awareness among public about the balanced construction and tree protection for ecological sustainability?
The awareness has to come from the school level. Accepting changes when we are grown up is difficult, so children should be taught the importance of environment, ecology, and sustainability. We should make it a subject. The children should know the scientific facts behind planting a tree, preservation, and how to take care of the trees. NGOs are playing a major role in this, and they should be supported by all. They are trying to preserve trees, water resources, and sustainability. They take funds through crowd funding, their own money, or external source of funds, but they do a massive work in this regard. We have to come up with lot of awareness campaigning like TV ads, billboards, and slogans. We should learn to plant a tree for all occasions for the future generation.
Can you share case studies or success stores where eco protection measures resulted in improved ecological outcomes during constructions?
NTPC in Delhi is situated in about 400 acres of land which is covered with fly ash from the power plant. Now, they are developing a lake, an eco-park, transplanted a lot of trees from nearby areas where the trees were being cut, and growing species which are helped by fly ash. The reclamation methods and the massive work they are doing is one of the best ecological restoration works I have seen. There are many other smaller projects like Sabarmathi Lake Front Development project and projects in Hyderabad to restore lakes where the restoration work is going on.
Mr. Ramachandra Appari,
Managing Director
Green Morning Horticulture Pvt Ltd
Hyderabad Telangana
Email:ramachandra@greenmorning.in
Phone:9959353444
Often, we hear discussions on what we are leaving for the next generation, especially greenery. We, at Green Morning Horticulture Pvt Ltd, are into tree transplantation since 2010. Sustainable development is use of production services in a way to minimise the impact on environment and optimise resources to satisfy human needs. But we always want to grab as much possible and remain on top. We have to stick to the principles of nature which is very important and preserve the same for the next generation so that the resources do not get exhausted. We have since long left ecology out of economics and economics out of ecology. So, our company wanted to achieve the integration. We saw that they were trying to widen a two lane road, which had lot of trees on both sides for many years, they were growing on their own, giving shadow, into a four lane road. So there was a need to cut the trees. But many people and NGOs would not allow that. But we had to go ahead with the widening also as it was causing delayed traffic and accidents. So, we wanted to save trees integrating both development and ecology. We thought upon transplantation of the trees which was a new concept then. We planned in such a way that we do not have to cut the trees from the ground but cut only the roots only to some extent which would have spread for 20 metres at least and make a root ball. Then we planned to lift the trees, put them on trailers, shift them to a place where we could plant them. We felt that this concept would help in saving the trees, integration of development, and ecology sustenance.
About one third of GDP in India depends on nature fully and another one third fairly. 55% of our rural community depends on nature and forest ecosystem. They used to indiscriminately cut trees, including poachers, tree cutters, but slowly the mindset started changing. The government is placing lot of emphasis on sustaining economy with ecology. We are slowly realising the importance of trees which help in reducing air pollution, releasing oxygen, etc. The High Court has come up with a committee to assess the value of a tree, and so FRI, Dehradun conducted the research and concluded that each tree is valued at Rs. 75 lakhs. So the court has instructed that we have to integrate trees in each of the projects as they are important. The trees are also important for air purification, reducing dust, sustaining biodiversity for birds, animals, and flora. Cutting of trees happen not only in widening of roads, but also in mining, construction of factories, bullet train projects which have started in India recently etc. Trees are cut for smaller apartments or villas constructions, but we pick up from the root, transplant them, and see that they are given second life.
We have transplanted nearly 1.5 lakh trees throughout the country with a survival rate of 70% which depends on health of the tree, soil, terrain conditions, etc. Gulmohar trees have 90% survival, but trees like neem, mango, jackfruit are difficult to transplant and have 50% survival chance only.
In countries like Singapore and Dubai and western world, trees are lifted entirely and carried in trailer However, this is difficult in Indian Conditions due to underground and overhead utilities.
The first step we follow is cut the roots to a certain length depending on the size and girth of the tree, prune the branches to negate the ill effects of transpiration and to help in transportation of the tree. We retain the root ball, pack it with gunny cloth, which is known as burlapping of the root ball, pull it with crane, and carry it with crane if it is a short distance, otherwise we load on trailer and then plant the tree. We have done this with areca palm tree, coconut trees, and banyan trees too. Then we treat them with chemicals and nutrients the tree requires. We have put one such banyan tree at the entrance of a villa project which invited lot of appreciation.
We can often not even recognise if the trees were transplanted or original ones. We can see 100% survival chance with coconut trees and palm trees. We have transplanted trees to Kanha Shantivanam, a spiritual organisation who approved of our request to transplant the cut trees. We have transplanted Sal trees in Odisha, are empanelled with government of Andhra Pradesh, entered into MoU with Volvo, etc. In Delhi, there is a policy that we cannot cut or prune a tree which is a nonbailable offence. Only 6 agencies have been approved to do such work, and we are one of them. We have worked for Pune Metro Rail project where the survival rate of the transplanted trees is more than 90%. We are working for restoration of trees in PM’s residence, office, parliament, Central secretariat, and Thalsena Bhavan, the army headquarters in Delhi.
The first step in transplantation of trees is the pruning of trees, which is to reduce the gas exchange. During transpiration, since we have cut the roots, the capacity of the trees to absorb water reduces, there will be dehydration for the trees. We do not touch the structure of the tree when pruning. We apply chemicals once the transplantation is over, and it takes 30 days for it to rejuvenate on its own to confirm if it has survived or not. Only after 3 months we can say if the sprouts are growing. So, as transplantation expert, our duty is to catalyse the whole process quickly before the starch that gives the sprouts gets over. So, the shape of the tree is retained, and we can see proper growth afterwards. If pruning is not done scientifically or the structure not retained, the trees may not survive. The roots have to be preserved perfectly. We have to ensure all the systems, such as leaf system, root system, root system, and shoot system are compromised for its regeneration. Earlier people did not awareness about the trees transplantation, but now people are ready to save the trees, and people with farmhouses in and around the city are ready to adopt the trees. So, we take the trees and plant them there for the people to take care. People are developing awareness about environment protection.
How can development and construction companies minimise the environmental impact when building in and around existing trees?
We must start tree preservation planning from the beginning i.e. at the time of design. Important is to make construction design, where minimum trees are affected. For trees which need to be translocated, receptor area should be finalised beforehand. If there are 20 trees in the project, it is not same for all of them as there are methodologies involved. When there are species that have only 40 to 50% chances of survival, we request construction companies to plan hardening period, so they have to plan well in advance and give buffer space to shift the trees to the nearest park, temple or within project site. This type of homework is very much needed for the construction companies. The mindset of cutting trees and selling the branches for extra money should be altered and there should be genuine concern for nature and conservation of ecology.
As use case, A triplex villa project builder in Hyderabad, decided to have banyan tree transplanted within project site. The Transplanted tree became focal point of the project because of which he could sell 8 extra villas. So, such innovative ideas are essential for builders, for which planning is important about tree transplantation which shall help to preserve them and in turn increase the aesthetics of project itself.
What are the key principles for preserving trees during construction projects to maintain ecological balance? Can you provide examples of successful construction projects that incorporate eco protection measures to safeguard trees and natural habitats?
For tree preservation project, Tree Transplantation is only 50% activity, another 50% is to maintain the transplanted trees and ensuring no interference during tree establishment phase due to ongoing construction activities etc. I have seen in many places the construction materials being dumped near the trees. The arms of excavator hit the trees which damage the tree and kill it. Proper mitigation, protection from cement and other dust are important. We should have a horticulturist from the beginning of the project. Many people think and plan for a horticulturist when they reach the end of the project, but it should not be so. A horticulturist is important from the day one along with the design plans even before the building and construction work start. His involvement is very essential. Nowadays, Almost all construction companies such as Sobha, Prestige, Baagmane, in Bangalore, and other companies in Hyderabad have inclination towards trees and have dedicated horticulturist to overlook tree preservation and other softscape. Tree Transplantation industry, has been evolving since the last 12 years, and people nowadays do not want to cut the trees. They plan transplantation first and then construction of projects.
How does the presence of trees contribute to sustainable and ecofriendly urban development? What are the legal and regulatory measures to ensure protection of trees during construction, and how they can be strengthened?
The importance of trees in urban settings is too high. The biodiversity, amount of oxygen it gives, the dust it covers, and the amount of shade it gives, the amount of business in the urban setting, the help to flora and fauna, there are many such advantages of trees in urban settings. Without trees, urban settings can never exist, and the whole city would come to zero and standstill. So trees have their own importance in urban settings. In India, the awareness is improving. Many laws are coming up as the means of saving the trees. Please started opposing cutting of trees, and the courts also did not have any answer for this, whether to go for construction activities by cutting the trees or preserving the trees and not go for construction activities. So the state governments have come up with different laws such as Delhi where pruning or cutting of trees is an offence to reduce the pollution level. Similarly, governments of Karnataka, Gujarat, and Bihar also have their own laws. The awareness, however, is yet to reach the pinnacle.
What innovative technology or construction methods can be used to protect trees and promote sustainable building practices simultaneously? What steps can houseowners take to ensure the protection and health of trees during the residential construction or renovation process?
The green building concept where the buildings are evaluated based on the green technologies followed, transplantation of trees, minimum use of A/cs, solar systems, less electricity usage, and zero or no wastage from the house. The Godrej green building concept is really picking up, and people are endorsing the ratings to the best extent possible. Technologies such as tree radar equipment to know if a tree is healthy or not, how to save them, make some design alterations to the construction project, and ensure the tree is intact. Nowadays we see people making a hole in the slab for the trees to come up. There are bends in the compound walls to preserve the trees. The trees are not touched during construction activities. Transplantation comes as a last resort to preserve the tree, if it is in the middle of the site, we are unable to make changes in the plans, and we have to work on plans so that the trees are not cut but saved.
How can we create awareness among public about the balanced construction and tree protection for ecological sustainability?
The awareness has to come from the school level. Accepting changes when we are grown up is difficult, so children should be taught the importance of environment, ecology, and sustainability. We should make it a subject. The children should know the scientific facts behind planting a tree, preservation, and how to take care of the trees. NGOs are playing a major role in this, and they should be supported by all. They are trying to preserve trees, water resources, and sustainability. They take funds through crowd funding, their own money, or external source of funds, but they do a massive work in this regard. We have to come up with lot of awareness campaigning like TV ads, billboards, and slogans. We should learn to plant a tree for all occasions for the future generation.
Can you share case studies or success stores where eco protection measures resulted in improved ecological outcomes during constructions?
NTPC in Delhi is situated in about 400 acres of land which is covered with fly ash from the power plant. Now, they are developing a lake, an eco-park, transplanted a lot of trees from nearby areas where the trees were being cut, and growing species which are helped by fly ash. The reclamation methods and the massive work they are doing is one of the best ecological restoration works I have seen. There are many other smaller projects like Sabarmathi Lake Front Development project and projects in Hyderabad to restore lakes where the restoration work is going on.
Mr. Ramachandra Appari,
Managing Director
Green Morning Horticulture Pvt Ltd
Hyderabad Telangana
Email:ramachandra@greenmorning.in
Phone:9959353444