AnupaAbout 20 hectares of forest are being cut in Bangalore for a Metro Depot. No voices of opposition so far.
Sai Vishal@anupa how many tree saplings will it take so that it produces the same oxygen as a fully grown tree?
@Vishsai sadly not a straightforward question. Planting has to be done carefully using native plants, on suitable habitat and with a lot of post planting care. Most saplings don't survive. It is best to prevent felling of old growth trees than think of replacing it with saplings.
However, guidelines do exist on restoration of degraded habitats, but that is not a substitute for clearing forests
@anupa I understand this. Want to change the narrative from planting trees to amount of oxygen produced. The idea is that people don't have the thinking that a tree sapling is equivalent to one tree. This will also ensure that more saplings are planted per tree cut(must be equivalent to oxygen produced by that tree on the day it's Benn cut) for Eg 100 per tree then there is a higher chances of getting at least 10 trees. Again cutting a banyan tree might be equivalent to 1000 tree saplings.
@anupa always wanted to ask that question to a expert.
@Vishsai good thinking! Some red flags though -
1. 1000 saplings may produce enough oxygen for 1 tree. But what if none survive?
2. Who takes care of those 1000 saplings?
3. What if grasslands are destroyed to plant saplings (which happens now)
4. What if non native saplings are planted (which happens now)? If they actually grow on to be trees, it's abigger disaster for the biodiversity
So I say that thinking about it only in terms of oxygen will allow the authorities to misuse it further.
@anupa Agreed. The thinking in terms of oxygen gives us a starting guideline on the number of saplings. Higher the number higher the chances a few will survive.
Ideally every project will have a dedicated team who will be responsible for looking after that plants for a period of 5 years(considering we are planning at least a two year old sapling based on tree). When you attach a monetary cost they will be more careful on the no of trees cut.