We’ve heard of a variety of clinics and hospitals for different diseases, for humans as well as animals, but have you ever heard of a ‘tree dispensary and clinic’ for sick trees, with their own Tree-Ambulance? We bet you haven’t. That is because it did not exist before and for the first time in the entire world, a hospital has been established particularly to take care of trees suffering from diseases. The person behind this unique idea is IRS officer, Mr. Rohit Mehra, popularly called the “Green Man of India.”
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Mehra shared details about this unique initiative and its features.
TREE CLINIC
Mr. Mehra believes that trees are just like humans. They eat, drink, grow old, and die- like all of us humans. And like us, they too suffer from diseases, including physical, biological, and chemical diseases. Majority of the population survives on vegetarian or plant-based diet and naturally, eating a diseased plant will harm our bodies, too. He realized that there is not even a single organization which solely focuses on treating sick and diseased plants and trees; therefore, he went on to launch ‘Pushpa Clinic and Hospital’ for trees that needed care, in Amritsar, Punjab.
“We provide 33 different kinds of services including day care, removing nails from trees, trimming, removing tree guards which act as a shackle to trees that outgrow them, grooming, reviving, etc.” Mr. Mehra told Indian Masterminds.
The entire process is done naturally. Mr. Mehra has keenly scanned ‘Vriksha Ayurveda’ book that describes plant diseases in details and includes remedies to revive them. Moreover, he has tied-up with several botanists to get involved in the project. “You can either bring your small plant to the clinic to get it checked; ping us online about the diseases that you’re observing in your tree; or you can call for a tree ambulance” stated Mr. Mehra.
TREE AMBULANCE
Tree Ambulances contains basic gardening and treating tools, bio jibe, fertilizers etc. and goes around identifying and treating the trees and plants according to their diseases.
“For tree ambulance, we took e-rickshaws and converted them into full-fledged ambulances. We have involved a few volunteers, tree experts, scientists, botanists, and a few tree lovers that are willing to help with the initiative,” said Mr Mehra.
The officer has also provided a phone number, where people can call and share the issues that their trees are suffering from, and the ambulance team will reach their place, identify the trouble and work on it. “It is just the beginning right now so we have limited resources but soon we will also begin with uprooting and re-planting of trees” he pointed.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Pertaining to the uniqueness of the idea, numerous people have started associating with the project. Various arborists (people who are specialised in pruning trees) have taken interest in getting involved in the project, as well.
“The services that we are providing are totally free of cost. I am not doing it for monetary purpose. It is my gift to Mother Nature,” said the officer.
Mr Mehra has designed various measures such as ‘Panchratna and Neem Shastra to protect the trees from harmful elements, such as termites, by using natural resources. He has even made a manual instructing people how to do it. Ludhiana has an entire factory manufacturing only gardener tools. Mr. Mehra has collaborated with them for resources.
His team goes to the local peoples’ houses and guides them about plantation and utilization of plants and trees. “If anybody requires help in setting up gardens or kitchen gardens, my team will go to their place and help them with setting up everything. They will again visit after 5-6 days to take note of the plants’ growth and will guide them accordingly,” he told Indian Masterminds.
He also cleans trees that are harmed during traditional rituals that elders usually perform,and makes people aware of the kind of plants that they can grow and keep inside their homes.
GOING NATURAL
Mr. Mehra treats each and every plant with utmost care, using only natural means. He has totally abstained from using chemical laden fertilizers or pesticides, to keep the plants in good health. All the bio-fertilizers used by the clinic are 100% natural and organic. He is making use of seed balls, natural decomposers that enhance soil fertility to induce growth, and kitchen waste and animal waste as fertilizer.
“This helped in two ways: We could regenerate waste and use it as fertilizers, and were able to increase plant growth through this” he pointed.
Mr. Mehra appeals to the public to take care of their green friends just like their own, as they bear souls too. Basic steps such as ensuring their good health and keeping them away from polluted areas will automatically take them a long way. The clinic was inaugurated on 30 th January, 2020 and has fascinated people all over Amritsar. We are sure, its reputation will grow in leaps and bounds beyond Amritsar.
