Pune: In response to growing concerns over the city’s diminishing greenery, Pune’s civic administration is set to launch a dedicated ‘Tree Ambulance’ service starting June 5, aligning with World Environment Day. Inspired by a similar initiative in Chennai, this move is aimed at safeguarding the city’s remaining green spaces amid accelerating urban development.
The tree ambulance will be equipped with specialised tools and a trained team to provide critical care to trees. Its services will include diagnosing diseases, treating injuries, controlling pests, performing tree surgeries, and even carrying out planting drives. The goal is to offer comprehensive care to trees facing stress due to urban pressures.
Although many environmental activists have applauded the initiative as a positive step, there is lingering doubt about its long-term impact. Critics argue that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has historically fallen short in curbing tree felling, facilitating successful transplantation efforts, and encouraging the growth of indigenous species.
A recent study on May 26 shed light on Pune’s alarming environmental trajectory. From 2013 to 2022, the city’s built-up land grew by 12%, which contributed to a 34% reduction in its carbon sequestration capacity — the ability of natural ecosystems to capture and store carbon dioxide. Additionally, this expansion led to a 13% decrease in Pune’s ability to manage urban flooding, further underlining the ecological cost of unchecked development.
While the tree ambulance is a step in the right direction, experts emphasize that it must be paired with stricter policies on tree preservation and sustainable city planning to truly restore Pune’s ecological balance.
