The Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) horticulture department is gearing up to expand its fleet of tree ambulances in the capital, aiming to triple the number to 12 by 2024—one for each of its 12 administrative zones. These tree ambulances, introduced in compliance with Delhi high court and National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, have already made a significant impact. In the past year, the fleet of four ambulances carried out 353 surgeries, breathing new life into hollow and infected trees.
The initiative was prompted by the high court’s directive in May 2022, instructing various Delhi corporations and land-owning agencies to establish a tree diseases surgery unit, acquire tree ambulances, and assign specialized arborists for tree care. While the ambulances have been deployed, the establishment of the surgery unit is still pending.
Tree ambulances respond to complaints about pest-infested, hollow, or drying trees. The surgery process involves a meticulous two-to-three-year procedure, including removing infected or hollowed parts, cleaning, washing, and applying insecticides. The hollowed-out sections are filled with inert foam, covered with chicken mesh, and layered with plaster of Paris and cement for weather resistance.
This forward-looking approach aligns with the Greening Guidelines of 2000, emphasizing the need for corporations and land-owning agencies to have both a tree diseases surgery unit and a tree ambulance. The MCD’s expansion of its fleet reflects a commitment to preserving and rejuvenating the city’s greenery. 🌳🚑 #TreeAmbulance #GreenInitiative #DelhiEnvironment
