A JEWEL IN PARLE

On 27th November, we all members of 'Parle Gardners' Group' had the opportunity to discover a jewel in Vile Parle East.

Mrs Varsha Karambelkar kindly arranged for us to be guided by Dr Lattu the eminent horticullturist. He suggested we meet in 'Sathaye College Garden'. All these years I had associated Sathaye college with scholars, art and culture events and rumbunctious crowd of teenagers, so I kept wondering if the meeting was for a cup of tea and then we would proceed to some place like the University for the actual tour.

We assembled and were introduced to the Sprightly Dr Sharangdhar and I had tough time believing she is several years post- retirement seeing her energy and enthusiasm. After the expected canteen visit....the unexpected part happened right here---just behind the canteen began an amazing collection of botanical specimens. Mrs Renee Vyas, an ardent tree- lover and guiding light to many friends of trees accompanied us. The next 2 hours were spent in seeing a large variety of trees, bushes and herbs. Many of them, I saw for the first time. Time flew by....the collection is really quite incredible.

Any person wishing to know more about trees is welcome here. One has to just take permission (by quite simple process) in office and you are ready for your ramble. A field guide such as 'Trees of Bombay" by BNHS will be an excellent companion- as all may not be lucky like us to get guides like Lattu Sir and Sharangdhar Madam. Even after 3 hours, we had not completed seeing all specimens, which means another visit has to be planned.

A number of rare plants have been nurtured here. Many persons brought up in Konkan, can come and see the common trees of their childhood here- as nowadays trees and shrubs are being removed from native places.

Suppose anyone has a rare plant to donate, this collection will gladly accept and it will be nurtured like a cherished child. Now the institute is planning to have some specialised gardens like butterfly garden. I wish they have a garden with fruit trees as well- so that children can at least see where their favorite fruit comes from.

Parlekars have a jewel in their midst now. All must visit and enjoy its beauty.

FALLING IN LOVE

Soon after moving to this side of Parle, I discovered what pleasure it is, to take a morning walk in the Prabhodhankar Thakrey garden. I started my morning walks in June. Within a couple of weeks, it rained and made the place prettier. A few days later, I was welcomed by a heady fragrance. Upon looking around I spotted a number of medium sized trees laden with bunches of tiny white blossoms giving out the smell. The smell was at once mild but totally mesmerising. I didn’t feel like leaving the garden that day.

I was eagerly looking forward to the walk next day. But the blossoms and the fragrance were gone. It was only a one day show! Everyday I waited for the flowering and it happened once again. It was magical how suddenly one day the tree would be covered in white, to be stripped of this the next day itself. As I walked around the area I saw this plant fairly widely distributed. It grows wild even on road dividers. So I have got myself a sapling from the roadside. Still encountering any tree of this variety made my heart flutter with the fondness of someone in love. I asked so many people about the plant’s details. Finally, I found the answer in ‘Trees Of  Mumbai”. It is a kunti- kamini tree.

Earlier I found peepal to be the prettiest tree. But now I am totally bewitched by the kunti kamini tree. I feel lucky that I live in an area which has large numbers of this tree and that they are actively increasing their numbers by growing wild everywhere. I hope my pot-sapling will grow well.

I still look forward to spotting a new sample and I am really propelled into a state of great happiness when I see the kunti kamini tree. This is nothing but falling in love.

PLANT RESCUE

Every year hundreds of seeds germinate to form saplings. We can see them on buildings, compound walls, footpaths, gardens....particularly in the rainy season. The type of saplings seen depends on the species of plants in that area as well as the bird and animal activity causing dispersal. So in parle the commonest saplings are of banyan, umber, peepal and ‘bor’, vilayati chinch, tamarind, jamun, mast tree, ‘bhendi’ and sonmohur. In fact, most of parle is populated by trees which grew like this. Earlier one would also see mango saplings, but these have reduced somehow. Nowadays due to the planted almond trees gaining maturity, one can also see almond saplings growing like this. In future, I expect there will be a lot more bakul and neem trees as the current trend is towards planting them. I have also seen sometimes saplings of pomegranate, guava on the roadsides.

Majority of these saplings perish. Main reason is the long dry season that follows the heavy rain. Secondly, for some odd reason most saplings crowd around electric poles, road signs and telephone wire boxes- naturally they have to be removed. Thirdly, as soon as parlekars spot anything that is more than a few inches in height, they begin to throw waste around it. The poor sapling gets smothered and dies away. The loss of such large numbers of ready saplings of native species from nature’s nursery is a real waste. So I decided to experiment: I collected few saplings of banyan and peepal and took care of them at home for couple of years. They have now been planted and are on the way to becoming handsome members of Parle. I now came to know, there is a formal movement in urban areas called ‘plant rescue’ which is precisely what I did. I recommend Parlekars to rescue as many plants as possible and this will help to make Parle green at very low cost.

Guidelines followed by me are- I watch the sapling for many days. It should be healthy and have a stem at least as thick as a finger. Very mature saplings are difficult to uproot. Saplings embedded in concrete are difficult to extract without damaging roots, but one must try very carefully. If each parlekar takes care of 1-2 saplings like this, we will have a large bank of ready and strong saplings for plantation. This is important because mature nursery plants cost hundreds of rupees and there is no guarantee of their health. Besides nurseries usually have fashionable plants rather than useful, hardy and local species.

Saplings are like children, if they get good care in early years they become strong a long lived. The saplings occupy very little space and can be grown for 2-3 years in an ordinary container of 5 inches diameter and receiving average care. One must however be careful about pruning it in such a way that the branching starts at maximum height. Because when you plant this tree along a road, if the branches are too low the tree will become an obstruction and also attraction for people to use as storage space. Unfortunately the roots remain shallow and as the sapling grows inside the container, it will need very strong support so that the main stem becomes straight. This will help it to develop a straight trunk. If the trunk is straight, the tree looks very good, does not obstruct and remains stable- not prone to fall as it grows. The sapling should be maintained at home till it forms a woody stem, at that stage it is ready to take on the world.

An added benefit is the oxygen we can get while this sapling is with us. So every year one can collect one sapling and after 4 years begin to search spots for planting them. 

TREES LIST

Aniket has consulted Dr Lattu, tree specialist from Parle and got a list of trees appropriate for planting at different spots in parle. We also added some of our suggestions and have come up with the following list-

TREE LIST                      

PLANTS FOR LANES

1.       Kunti Kamini- Nurraya exotica

2.       Trinayi mendi- lagestromia indica

3.       Creatia tapia

4.       Anant-

5.       Shankhasur-

6.       Adulsa

SMALL ROAD- UPTO 30 FT

1.       Sita Ashok

2.       Bhendi

3.       Bahava

4.       Bakam Neem

5.       Bakul

6.       Sonchafa

7.       Putranjiv

8.       Badam

9.       Shisham

10.   Pongaamia piñata

11.   Karanj

12.   Shami

13.   Mango

TREE LIST

PLANTS FOR LANES

7.       Kunti Kamini- Nurraya exotica

8.       Trinayi mendi- lagestromia indica

9.       Creatia tapia

10.   Anant-

11.   Shankhasur-

12.   Adulsa

SMALL ROAD- UPTO 30 FT

14.   Sita Ashok

15.   Bhendi

16.   Bahava

17.   Bakam Neem

18.   Bakul

19.   Sonchafa

20.   Putranjiv

21.   Badam

22.   Shisham

23.   Pongaamia piñata

24.   Karanj

25.   Shami

26.   Mango

TREES- NATURAL AIR PURIFIER

My article published in a medical journal.

"TREES- NATURAL AIR PURIFIERS"
A Short Commentary
(February 2016)
INDIAN PRACTITIONER, VOL 69, NO. 2
Pgs 54-55

TREE GROUP OF PARLE EAST

Since last year I have been part of a ‘tree group’. We are a not friends and not even activists. We are just a group of persons interested in increasing the tree cover of vile parle east. Aniket Karandikar has been doing most of the work and planning, though he hates to be called our ‘leader’. For me, he is THE LEADER of our group.

Aniket coordinated with the garden department of MCGM as well our Corporator Mrs Jyoti Alvani. He has taken as much support as they could provide. Rest of us are known to him, or acquaintances of friends or friends of acquaintances and so on......variously related to each other but connected through the same desire to have more trees in Parle. Aniket allotted us trees- we were given option of sponsoring the protective fencing around trees or to become tree parents by watering the saplings everyday in the dry months. The sponsorship amount was 1200/- per tree. He made small plaques citing name of sponsors as well as some with positive quotes. He has also been mulching trees with nirmalya flowers regularly. He removes garbage around the trees. And Jyoti Alvani gave us all letters of appreciation.  So in 2015 Aniket has been monitoring trees on Hanuman Road and Malaviya Road.

I used to water my adoptee everyday on the way back from dropping my kid to school. But in Divali vacation I had to request shopkeeper in Siddanchal building to take over as I was travelling. This tree got adopted by him eventually. Now I am ready to adopt another tree. Mr Ashwin from Guruprasad society is seen with a bucket watering all saplings and monitoring them early in the morning everyday- no one told him to do so. He saw the saplings and thought of caring for them- and became a tree parent. There are many such persons who have joined the tree group without even being aware of it. And there is nothing official about it!

Now we are looking forward to the  next round of tree plantation. Aniket has asked for suggestions about where to plant trees this year and also which species. Of course, he is clear that NO EXOTIC species will be planted....like Australian acacia. Also tree sponsors and tree parents are required and we are making lists. Tree plantation will be done in May and June, just before the rainy season.  Our saplings have shown good growth and by next year they will be independent trees. Every sapling needs outside support for 2 years. So under Aniket’s direction and planning, we hope to have a good tree plantation season.

DO YOUR OWN TREE SURVEY

Recently we have been reading about the tree census being conducted by the MCGM. So let us find out more.

What is a tree census or survey?

Tree census means simply counting trees. In a survey, we would also like to find out other interesting data- like where are the trees, what are the types of trees, what are problems faced by trees, etc.

Why should we do it?

It is important to know about the quantity and quality of tree cover. Serial surveys tell us if trees are increasing or decreasing. We can know the distribution of species. Data about health of trees helps to detect epidemics and other challenges. So tree survey is the basis for planning tree- plantation, tree maintainence systems

How is it done?

First one should define 'tree', 'shrub' etc. A tree is usually a plant more than 6 feet in height. Then the tree is located, counted and described in forms- when done manually. Some form of coding is required to make it easy to enter and analyse data. This time MCGM is using GIS- I dont know exactly how they do it.

Then data is tabulated and analysed

MY OWN TREE SURVEY- HOW? WHY?

Yes, you can choose your Society/ street or garden to do your own tree survey.

If possible take a youngster along- it is a great way to spend quality time with them. You will need to set aside 1-2 hours of the forenoon. Be equipped with a writing pad, survey sheet and a field guide such as 'Trees of Bombay" (BNHS). Just fill up the survey form. After checking for completeness, take the data home and upload results to your blog.

Other than the benefit of teaching our offspring about trees and bonding with them- doing your own tree survey helps you to keep a watch on the trees in your locality by establishing a baseline. And you can also detect any fraud or error by MCGM- look what happened with the DP!

Best wishes for your tree survey! It will be a great way to spend a morning!

TREE SURVEY FORM

Date- Area surveyed-
No	Species code	Status code- use as many codes as needed	Remarks
1
2
3
4
Total	A B C F G J M L P T

CODES- suggested

Species/ name	Code
Mango	M
Jamun	J
Peepal	P
Banyan	B
Audumbar	A
Palash- Flame of forest	F
Coconut	C
Nilmohur	N
Gulmohur	G
Sonmohur	S
Bahava- Golden Laburnum	L
Tamarind	T

Status	Code
Dead/ Unhealthy	1
Nailed	2
Cemented	3
Garbage	4
Hacked	5
Healthy	6
Protected	7

CRUELTY TO TREES

Dr Bose of Kolkata did a famous experiment proving plants to be sensitive to how they are treated. So a plant treated well grows better and remains healthier. We have lot of movements preventing cruelty against animals and humans; what about plants?

Trees and plants are utterly defenceless against cruelty because they cannot make a noise or move from their place. So plants continue to be easy targets and Parlekars need to become conscious of the harm these lovely mute citizens of Parle have been facing. Parlekars have raised their voice against disturbing roots of trees by excessive digging, tarring and cementing around them- so municipality has starting taking steps to prevent these problems. But subtle forms of injury are continuing.

To prevent tree- fall and branch- fall, in the coming months, trees will have to endure massive pruning. I hope this will be done scientifically so that it serves the purpose but does not kill the tree. Besides this, the practice of chopping trees to make hoardings and shop windows more visible must be stopped immediately. An example is the jewellery shop opposite Babasaheb Gawde Hospital on M G Road- they have chopped the tree and it will surely die shortly.

Many advertisements and hoardings are nailed or stapled to trees. This causes injury to the tree. Imagine, if someone nails or staples a person’s body- how will he feel? Trees feel the same way. And this is not only about feelings. Trees absorb nutrients and water through their roots and these are conducted throughout the tree by structures called xylem (water) and phloem (nutrients). These are vertically linear spongy structures- almost like the jelly- filled cables of the telephone department. And they are situated closer to the circumference of the tree. When a nail is driven in, these structures get damaged, form scars and the water-nutrient supply gets disrupted. Secondly every plant/ tree has a cover or bark which is meant to protect it from infection and dehydration. The nail- track provides a route for germs to enter the tree structure and destroy it. Thus a ‘small’ nail can damage a large tree. I was appalled to see that BMC has nailed a notice on one of the trees on MG Road. (An excellent description of this process can be found it the BNHS quarterly Hornbill of Dec 2014.)

Some establishments- notably those on Hanuman Road and opposite 'Tea Villa' trees have been wrapped in fairy lights. I think the purpose is to decorate with fancy lighting to attract customers. But the tree gets affected due to the heat and electricity from wires. Plus there will be nails and wires used to tether the lights to trees.

Trees and plants should be treated as ‘Parlekars’ on par with humans and animals. And we need to protect them because they cannot protect themselves. First, no hoardings/ advertisements should be permitted on trees. Municipality should erect special poles on which these can be put up. And fines should be levied on anybody found sticking or poking trees.

THE FUTURE OF TREES IN VILE PARLE EAST

It is a matter of pride for Parlekars that almost every street in Vile Parle East is shaded by large, old trees. Every lane has at least one unique tree. For example- right in the middle of traffic island on Hanuman Road, opposite Cafe Coffee day we have a majestic Shammi tree. And Vastu- Shobha folks have been kind enough to put a wire mesh around it to protect it.

A slow but steady de- treeing process is happening, however. First- the whole of Hanuman Road was concretised- now that has become a hot, sunny road. Then Nehru road followed suit. Then it was Mahatma Gandhi road. Slowly all roads will get concretised- old trees will get trapped into concrete barriers. I think they will weaken and die slowly or collapse suddenly. And During concretisation no space has been left for planting new trees. One good samaritan on Chittaranjan Road managed to save this tree by negotiating with authorities to leave some space around its roots. And he spent his own money to build a protection around it.

Lucky Tree on Chittaranjan Road

Many buildings in Vile Parle East are going into re-development. During this process most trees in and around the plot get cut. Trees in the building area, trees obstructing view, trees with deep and spread out roots and trees which obstruct well water access- which means almost all large trees are cut. The rule says that equal number of trees have to be planted by the builder before applying for OC. In reality- there is really no space to plant trees. Every permitted square inch is occupied by the building. Rest of it is converted into parking area. Now even underground parking is done. So just for name sake the builder puts ‘trees’. We see all manner of dwarf palms, frangipani, miniature ficus, etc. These trees are unable to provide the ecological services of temperature control, habitat- provision, water retention and soil conservation. They also die out in few years because the climate in Mumbai is totally inappropriate for them.  Thus the future of trees in Vile Parle East is indeed very grim. 

I feel some solution needs to be thought out soon- at this rate Vile Parle East will become a tree- less hot, dusty and dry place- also lifeless because there will be no place for the birds, insects and squirrels to live. One solutions strikes me as being pratical- large trees on roads- they will get enough space to spread above and under the ground. And medium sized but native trees in building compound. Buildings should be demarcated by use of hedges rather than walls, as they are more environment- friendly