REVIVING ROOTS: The peepul tree being uprooted from where it stood for last 75 years. — Photo: R. Eswarraj

MANGALORE: In a unique event, a 75-year-old peepul tree on Wednesday was transplanted in the city with the help of experts from Chennai. The event was coordinated by Mangalore City Corporation (MCC).

The tree was facing threat of being cut down for widening of the road between Lady Hill and Durga Mahal in Mannagudda area. The MCC had identified 15 trees to be removed. After much fight with the environmentalists they were able to bring down the number to seven, out of which three were peepul trees.

The youngest was 75 years and other two were over 150 years. They are now being trimmed and will not be transplanted.

The MCC, the greens and the resident associations did not have the knowhow for transplanting such huge trees. This hurdle was, however, overcome by the presence of Shekar James a renowned tree transplantation expert and his associate Ram Babu from Chennai.

Other problems included the expenditure, machinery and some logistics. But help started pouring in from all quarters.

The Canara Urva High School provided the power for the operation, the local residents and hoteliers hosted beverages and food packets for the crew.

Mr. James said the tree was huge and its trunks were massive. The special electric saw which was employed for the job made the cutting smoother and faster.

The weight of the tree had to be determined using a mathematical model, and according to the experts the tree weighed nothing less than seven tonnes when trimmed down. One of the residents Prabha Kudva, who is known for her efforts in saving the greenery in Mannagudda area, said that the entire locality had worked in transplanting the tree.

Mayor of Mangalore K. Ashraf who visited the spot more than once appreciated the concern of the residents and said he would ask the Forest Department officials to take care of the tree that had been transplanted and also plant more trees along the newly widened road.

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