KOLKATA: A green audit was conducted in the Golf Green Central Park on Sunday by students of a government-run primary school and domain experts, including botanists, senior scientists and teachers. In the survey, about 55 varieties of tree which covered almost 2 bighas of greenery in Kolkata, were identified. Some important ones include Naglingam (Cannon Ball Tree), Ashok, Magnolia, Cycas as well as Casuarina, Dimoru, Panthopadop (Traveller’s Palm), Rudra Palash, Debdaru, Madhabilata, Bokul, Chatim, Kapok (Red Cotton Tree) and a purple coloured Kanchan.
Several of these trees were half-a-century old, older than even the park. The experts have decided to put scientific names, family plant study and common names in front of all big trees in the park. They have also suggested that QR codes bearing such biological details of the trees can also be hung to spread awareness. “We noticed a 25-year-old wild Cycas tree, very rare to find in our city landscape,” said Amitava Roy, HoD, Botany department of Scottish Church College. He also suggested removal of paved bricks, iron cages and impregnated nails on the trees as well as vermicomposting of leaf and flower litters to preserve the greenery. The survey was conducted as part of the initiative, ‘Know Your Trees’, undertaken by Satyaranjan Khastagir Sishu O Prathamik Vidyalaya, a government-run primary school in Jadavpur area, to connect underprivileged students with mother nature.
“It is a praiseworthy effort that the initiative has been taken from a primary school,” said Prabir Kumar Saha, former scientist of plant biology, Bose Institute. Shuvadeep Majumdar, assistant professor of Botany, Scottish Church College, who was also present at the Central Park said, “This type of initiatives should be planned by other wards in the city, followed by yearly green audits.” Golf Green Central Park has been a popular shooting spot for Tollywood for decades now.
