June cover story in Samvada “A Tree Saved… Is a Tree Planted” had a sequel within a month. The strong wind, on 19 June night, was too harsh for the trees and a healthy Neem tree was seen uprooted by the residents on their early morning round of the Meghdutam Park, the next morning. The location was near to the Ambiance apartments’ boundary wall, on the extreme backside of the park.
However, as was said in the last month’s coverage, “We are fortunate to have some more determined souls who would not just pass by but take action to work on and revive the tree and see to it if the tree can be saved and brought back to life.”
People got into action. Rajiva Singh immediately tweeted the picture of this healthy tree lying helpless and tagged the Noida Horticulture in charge – Anand Mohan, Dy Director (Horticulture), and Sukhpal Singh, Supervisor (Horticulture) Sec 50, Noida Authority. Their response was timely, assuring that the work would start at 9.30 am. Message was circulated in the sector groups. Restoration work started with the trimming of branches first, to put it upright. A strong support has been provided till the time it catches its ground.
NOFAA, as a goodwill gesture, provided refreshments to all the labourers working at the site for tree restoration.
There is hope that with monsoon round the corner, once the rains are benevolent we would be lucky to see fresh leaves on the tree because the roots were still intact. The prime reason for the fall of this fully grown up strong tree may not be the gusty wind of the night, the residents gather there assessed. “It is actually the boundary wall of the society, which has been constructed too close to this tree and left little space for the roots to breathe” they concluded.
We have to be sensitive towards our ecosystem and find ways to avoid such situations in future. With the tree lovers in our neighbourhood emotionally attached to Meghdutam Park, we are sure to protect the green cover developed over years.
