In Tamil Nadu, road expansion projects are no longer synonymous withDeforestation. Thanks to the efforts of Syed Kattuvan and his organization Green Care, mature trees that once lined the roads near Coimbatore are being carefully uprooted and relocated rather than destroyed. This delicate process requires precision and respect for the tree’s life-giving roots, which Syed emphasizes as the key to their survival. His team ensures that each tree is lifted gently, preserving its root system to give it the best chance of thriving in its new home.

Transplanting mature trees yields results much faster than planting saplings

Syed explains that this approach not only saves decades of growth but also retains the carbon-storing, cooling, and oxygen-producing power ofmature trees. If you plant new saplings, by contrast, it takes many years for them to achieve a similar capacity. Scientists are concerned about the alarming rate of deforestation worldwide, especially given the role that trees play in storing carbon and slowing the pace ofclimate change. Green Care’s method involves transplanting native species like neem, Indian beech, and fig trees just a few meters away from the construction zone.

The process includes pruning branches, preparing spacious replanting holes, and using soil from the original location, all to ease the transition. Since 2015, Syed has successfully transplanted thousands of trees, some as old as 500 years! He says the first 90 days after relocation are critical. But if the trees survive that, they go on to flourish in their new home. His mission is rooted in the belief that preserving nature is essential for future generations.

This video summary was created by AI from the original DW script. It was edited by a journalist before publication.