Pune: PMC To Launch Tree Ambulance On June 5
Pune: PMC To Launch Tree Ambulance On June 5
Pune, June 4, 2025: In a landmark initiative marking World Environment Day, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to launch a dedicated ‘Tree Ambulance’ service along with a helpline to safeguard the city’s declining green cover. The official launch will be held on June 5 at 10:30 am at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Udyan, and will be presided over by Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishor Ram, Additional Commissioner Prithviraj B.P., and Additional Commissioner Omprakash Divate.
The service is aimed at rescuing and maintaining Pune’s aging and vulnerable tree population, many of which are at risk due to ongoing urban development and environmental neglect. The ‘Tree Ambulance’ will be manned by trained professionals — including botanists and tree surgeons — and will respond to cases of tree injuries, damage from construction activities, and harmful practices such as nailing advertisements to tree trunks.
The PMC’s Garden Department, under the leadership of Ashok Ghorpade, will spearhead this project. “This initiative is our way of ensuring emergency care for Pune’s trees. Much like ambulances for humans, these vehicles will provide first aid, remove nails, treat wounds, and support long-term tree health,” Ghorpade said.
Key Features Of The Tree Ambulance Service:
- Tree Health Monitoring: Identifying and treating diseases and injuries caused by pollution, physical damage, or age.
- On-Spot First Aid: Providing emergency care for stressed or damaged trees.
- Specialist Team: Care provided by a dedicated team of arborists, forestry experts, and horticulturists.
- Preventive Action: Removal of foreign objects such as nails and unapproved signage from trees.
- Public Participation: A tree conservation helpline will allow citizens to report tree-related issues in their localities for prompt action.
This effort is part of PMC’s broader environmental conservation plan, and it aims to bring awareness and encourage civic responsibility among residents. With growing threats to green spaces due to urbanization, this initiative sets a new precedent in proactive urban tree care.
The PMC hopes that this program will serve as a model for other cities, proving that with timely action and community support, urban green heritage can not only be preserved but thrive.
