Citizens Adopt 100 Trees: On a breezy Sunday morning, Park Circus Maidan—long known as a bustling green heart surrounded by dense traffic and concrete—witnessed a quiet revolution. Local residents, members of cultural collectives, school representatives, and civic authorities gathered not to stage a protest or celebrate a festival, but to plant the seeds of a greener future. Together, they pledged to adopt and nurture 100 trees, a gesture that could well be the beginning of a citywide ecological revival.
The initiative, spearheaded by Uddipani, a local social group, with support from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s parks department, is more than a plantation drive. It’s a promise of stewardship, of responsibility, and of collective ownership of the environment.
A City Struggling with Shrinking Green Lungs
Kolkata, once renowned for its grand boulevards lined with shady trees, is facing an alarming reduction in green cover. Rapid urbanisation, unregulated construction, and infrastructure projects have steadily eaten into the city’s lungs.
According to a 2019 report by the Forest Survey of India, West Bengal lost portions of its dense tree cover due to urban encroachment and industrial expansion. Within Kolkata itself, environmental groups have highlighted that open spaces now account for less than 1% of the total metropolitan area.
This loss of greenery has very real consequences:
- Rising Temperatures: The city routinely crosses 40°C during summer, worsened by the “urban heat island” effect.
- Air Pollution: With PM2.5 and PM10 levels often exceeding safe limits, trees could act as natural air filters.
- Mental Stress: A lack of accessible green spaces affects community health and well-being.
Against this backdrop, the Park Circus initiative stands out as a much-needed intervention, proving that citizens don’t have to wait for large-scale government projects—they can take matters into their own hands.
Planting Hope: A Symbolic Beginning
The adoption drive began with the planting of five saplings—small but mighty symbols of regeneration. The chosen species were carefully selected:
- Peepul (Ficus religiosa) – Sacred across cultures, known for its resilience and ability to provide dense shade.
- Kath Badam (Indian Almond) – Recognized for its broad canopy and usefulness in controlling dust.
- Krishnachura (Delonix regia) – Famous for its flamboyant red-orange blossoms that uplift entire neighborhoods in summer.
These trees are not just ecologically important, but also culturally significant. Planting them at Park Circus, a melting pot of communities, gives the effort a unifying and symbolic meaning.
Citizens Speak: Stories Behind the Saplings
Every sapling planted carried with it a personal story. For many, adopting a tree wasn’t just about greenery—it was about identity, memory, and future legacy.
Rajendra Vidwan: “A Movement in the Making”
Resident and early adopter Rajendra Vidwan expressed optimism:
“The step we initiated today should go a long way and become a movement. I hope citizens across Kolkata will replicate this effort and expand the city’s greenery.”
Shahanshah Mirza: A Tribute to His Father
For Mirza, planting a sapling was an act of remembrance:
“It is unique. By adopting trees in memory of loved ones, we not only honour them but also gift something lasting to future generations.”
Father VC George: Guardianship by Students
The Principal of Don Bosco School saw an opportunity to involve students:
“Youngsters must learn to care for these saplings. My students will keep watch to ensure they grow into healthy trees.”
Arjun Dhawan: Planting for His Daughter’s Future
Adopting a tree in the name of his three-year-old daughter, Dhawan said:
“This is about passing on values. We want our children to inherit a greener, healthier Kolkata.”
Citizens Adopt 100 Trees: Role of the Civic Body
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has extended strong support to the initiative. Officials from the parks department stated that the drive aligns with the corporation’s broader agenda of increasing green cover across wards.
KMC’s involvement is crucial because:
- It ensures permission and protection for planting within public spaces.
- It allows for technical guidance on tree species, soil quality, and plantation methods.
- It opens pathways for scale-up—similar adoption programs can now be encouraged in other neighborhoods.
This citizen-government synergy is essential for sustained impact.
Why Tree Adoption Works Better Than One-Time Planting
Traditional plantation drives often end after the photo-ops. Saplings are planted and left to fate, many perishing within months due to neglect. Tree adoption, on the other hand, shifts the narrative:
- Ownership: When individuals adopt a tree, they feel responsible for its survival.
- Monitoring: Regular care—watering, protection from cattle, adding manure—improves survival rates.
- Emotional Connection: A tree becomes more than greenery—it’s “my tree” with personal meaning.
- Community Bonding: Adoption encourages neighbors to collaborate, creating micro-communities of care.
Urban forestry experts have repeatedly emphasized that tree adoption models ensure survival rates of 70–80%, compared to 30–40% in typical plantation drives.
Ecological and Social Benefits of the Initiative
If the 100 saplings planted and adopted in Park Circus thrive, the long-term benefits could be substantial:
- Carbon Sequestration: Mature trees absorb significant amounts of CO₂, reducing greenhouse gas impact.
- Temperature Regulation: Shade from large trees can reduce surrounding temperatures by up to 4°C.
- Rainwater Absorption: Tree roots improve groundwater recharge and reduce urban flooding.
- Community Well-being: Green areas promote physical activity, relaxation, and mental health.
Additionally, green cover enhances urban aesthetics, making areas more liveable and attractive for residents and visitors alike.
Historical Context: Kolkata and Its Trees
Kolkata’s relationship with trees has always been layered. Colonial planners built wide avenues with majestic trees like rain trees, banyans, and gulmohars. Maidan, College Square, and Southern Avenue became iconic for their shady expanses.
But the post-independence years, particularly the past three decades, have seen relentless depletion. Infrastructure projects like flyovers, metro corridors, and road expansions have uprooted thousands of trees.
The Park Circus effort is, in many ways, a reclaiming of that lost heritage. It’s a reminder that Kolkata’s identity is incomplete without its trees.
Potential Challenges Ahead
While the initiative is inspiring, several challenges loom:
- Sapling Survival: The first two years are critical. Without regular watering and protection, survival rates may drop.
- Vandalism and Encroachment: Trees in public spaces are vulnerable to damage. Protective fencing and signage are necessary.
- Coordination Fatigue: Enthusiasm can fade over time. Keeping volunteers motivated is key.
- Climate Stress: Heatwaves, storms, and unpredictable rainfall could hamper growth.
Mitigating these risks will require consistent coordination between residents, schools, and the KMC.
Learning from Other Cities
Kolkata isn’t alone in facing green cover loss. Other Indian metros have pioneered similar citizen-driven models:
- Delhi’s “Adopt a Tree” campaign encourages residents to care for roadside saplings.
- Bengaluru’s SayTrees initiative combines tech-driven monitoring with volunteer adoption. (saytrees.org)
- Mumbai’s Green Yatra programs promote urban forest creation on degraded lands.
These examples show that sustained citizen participation, backed by civic authorities, can significantly reverse urban ecological decline.
What Lies Ahead for Park Circus and Beyond
Uddipani and local residents plan to gradually expand adoption to 500 trees over the next three years. Future steps include:
- Setting up green clubs in schools to involve youth.
- Introducing digital tracking apps for adopters to log tree growth.
- Organising annual tree festivals where citizens celebrate milestones.
- Collaborating with NGOs and CSR wings of companies for funding and expertise.
If successful, the model could be replicated ward by ward, transforming Kolkata into a greener, cooler, and more liveable city.
Final Reflection
The sight of young saplings at Park Circus—fragile yet full of promise—captures the essence of a city striving for balance. In a metropolis often choked by dust, traffic, and chaos, these small green shoots represent something larger: a community reclaiming its responsibility to nature.
As one resident put it, “We are not just planting trees. We are planting futures.”
If nurtured with care, these 100 adoptions will be remembered not for the ceremony of planting, but for the forest they one day become.
🔗 References & Further Reading:
- Forest Survey of India – State of Forest Report 2019
- West Bengal Pollution Control Board
- SayTrees – Citizen-led Tree Planting
- National Urban Policy Framework – Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
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