Deucha tribal people, experts happy with tree translocation
The Statesman | 10 July 2025
Experts visiting the newly set up forest consisting of trees that have been translocated from the coal belt site at Deucha Pachami in Birbhum, expressed satisfaction over the method followed to shift the trees.
S K Mitra, former professor of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya along with his team inspected the site. For the first time in the country, 922 trees consisting of Mahua, Saal, Sishu and Piyal have been translocated.
Babulal Mahato, additional district magistrate and a PhD holder in agriculture said the team has expressed satisfaction over the method followed to shift the trees. Not a single tree has died. In 97 per cent trees, new leaves have come while new leaves have not come in 3 per cent trees. Extra precautions have been taken to administer medicines and kill insects and ensure that the roots remain safe. “I am confident that the trees will not die as we have taken all possible measures to save their life,” said Mr Mahato, who had supervised the translocation of trees.
The expenditure was borne by the Power Development Corporation Limited (PDCL). A firm from Kharagpur was assigned to do the translocation. It took more than two months to complete the translocation of trees. Heavy duty cranes were used to take the trees to the new site.
Deucha Pachami is the second largest coalfield in the world. As the tribal population worship trees, there was resistance initially. A series of meeting was held between them and district administration and they finally gave clearance. Leaders of adivasi samaj also visited the site and expressed satisfaction.