Hyderabad|India|August'2010: Sameer Sharma, Commissioner GHMC, launched AP Real Estate Developer’s Association’s (APREDA) ‘Green Channel Initiative today at ESI Hospital, Sanat Nagar by flagging off the process of shifting 30 trees from ESI to one of their member’s site location, ‘Green Grace,’ opposite Ramanaidu Studio on Nanakramguda Road, a project promoted by S & S Green Pvt Ltd. As a part of the initiative, APREDA launched its ‘Adopt A Tree Save A tree’ campaign by starting the process of translocation of trees.

Vijaya Sai M, Chairman, APREDA Green Channel Initiative and MD S & S Green Projects addressing the gathering said, “It’s time that we wake up to save our eco system which is dying a slow and systematic death in the name of urban development. This overlying thought has triggered the genesis of APREDA’s Green Channel Initiative. We are now going to play a proactive role to usher in an era where no tree that can be trans-located is felled, to begin with in and around HMDA limits.” APREDA will provide the necessary support and technical assistance from their end to the people who approach them for this nobel cause in liason with concerned Departments.

Sameer Sharma, Commissoner, GHMC welcoming the move applauded the efforts of APREDA for taking up the translocation of trees and thereby saving them from getting killed. He also conceded to the long standing demand of APREDA to initiate Green Channel on the lines of HMDA to give speedy building permissions.And he has asked APREDA to propose the guidelines to GHMC for this based on their experience with HMDA.

Talking on the occasion Prem Kumar, President, APREDA said, “We want to sensitise people and make translocation of trees a popular movement. This is just the beginning. And today at the launch of our programme itself we have had a tremendous response with our members coming forward to translocate another 150 trees.”

The area comprising the ESI quarters is being cleared of its almost 200 trees to accommodate an upcoming medical college. There are five to eighty years old trees at ESI of different varieties including Bauhinia, Tabebuia, Peltophorum, Chinabadam, Peepal, Jackfruit, Amla and Jamun. If someone comes forward for such a cause, they can plant such old trees in their premises and overnight become their proud owners. Translocation of a tree involves safe uprooting of a grown up tree along with its roots dug up all around like a ball of earth and then planted at an alternate location. This systematic process takes about a month’s time and needs to be carried out under technical supervision.

Trees are renewable source of energy. The value of a tree that lives for 50 years generates Rs 5.3 lac worth of oxygen, recycles Rs.6.4 lacs worth of fertility and soil erosion control, and creates Rs 10.3 lacs worth of air pollution control and Rs. 5.3 lacs worth of shelter for birds and animals. Besides it provides flowers, fruits, and lumber. So, when ever one tree falls or is felled the nature looses something worth more than Rs.32 lacs.

Principal counselor Indian Green Building Council Raghupathy, N Bhaskar Rao of Centre For Media Studies also spoke on the occasion about how trees act as a filter to cleanse the environment and need to be saved. Those seeking technical assistance for translocation of trees from APREDA can contact them at adoptatree@apreda.org

-August'' 2010