Transplantation of huge trees for construction of piers of magenta metro line and Office-cum-Interpretation Centre in Botanic Garden of Indian Republic, NOIDA

To construct 9 piers of elevated track of magenta metro line to provide easy access to the commuters of South West Delhi including National and International tourists and a Porta-Cabin to use as an Office-cum-Interpretation Centre for exhibiting exhibits and organising awareness programme in Botanic Garden of Indian Republic (BGIR), the proposals were approved by the Competent Authority in Sep., 2014 and Nov., 2016 respectively. However, within the range, altogether 1,242 individuals of 31 species were found conserved and listed to rescue them from any damage or felling. After receipt of necessary permissions, manpower, general machineries (JCB and Hydra Crane) and other logistics, all plant individuals, comprising 1,075 individuals of 15 species of <10 cm girth were transplanted manually and 167 individuals of 16 species of >10 cm girth were transplanted mechanically without using specialized 'tree spade'. All transplanted plants were taken care of properly for a fortnight to months until and unless new leaves/branches/flower buds did not appear. Though environmental condition was not favourable, even then transplanted plants were survived @ 97.5%, is one of the greatest achievements achieved so far. Even after 5 to 7 years from date of transplantation, all trees are still standing in their new locations in BGIR.