Trees being relocated at Bhagalpur College of Engineering

BHAGALPUR: The Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT)- Bhagalpur has undertaken a massive exercise of translocation of 654 trees on its parent campus of Bhagalpur College of Engineering (BCE), out of which 39 trees have already been translocated.
Using technology and expertise of professional plant scientists, 39 fully grown fruit-yielding mango, peepal and banyan trees are being translocated from an orchard on the campus of Bhagalpur College of Engineering (BCE) to other places in the varsity to pave way for construction of buildings and roadways for the premier institution.
“The process of translocation of trees by uprooting the entire grown up trees instead of cutting down and re-planting at different locations on the premises has been initiated,” said institute director Arvind Choubey.
It may be mentioned here that IIIT- Bhagalpur, a joint venture of central government (50%), state government (35%) and Bihar State Electronics Development Corporation - BELTRON (15%), started its first academic session from its building on the campus of BCE on August 1, 2017.
“In a bid to preserve trees and follow the directives of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) vis-à-vis unscientific cutting of trees, we have decided to shift and relocate the trees to other parts on the college campus. This will not only prevent the trees but will also allow construction of buildings and other infrastructure as well,” said Choubey.
He added, “Mango trees being relocated are first trimmed by removing the branches and leaves, followed by digging up trenches. Thereafter, an earthmover machine lifts the trees with roots intact and plants it again at the designated spot having an equally deep trenc