Amravati (Maharashtra): Huge number of trees across cities and towns in the country are axed in the name of development and road widening on a regular basis. But a Neem tree which is home to many creatures was rescued from pruning by its inmates.
For the road construction, the neem tree located at the GS Tompe College Chowk in Amravati had to be axed.
Also read: Pasteurising human milk inactivates COVID-19 virus: Study
However, people found that the tree is inhabited by Woolly-necked Stork, a rare species which has laid eggs in a nest on the tree.
The nature lovers and bird watchers came together to save the neem tree to ensure the safety of the birds.
Shiva Kale, a member of Pakshimitra and Swarajya Seva Pratishthan, called Chandur Bazar Tehsildar Jagtap and sought his help. The Tehsildar immediately contacted the forest department and instructed the officials to save stork's nest on the tree.
Forest department official Lokhande sent his staff to the spot and asked them to submit a site inspection report.
Meanwhile, environmental activists including Praful Ruikar, Anup Raghuvanshi, Shreyash Chadokar, Nitin Mandavkar, Gaurav Keche of Swarajya Seva Pratishthan reached the place.
Later, Rahul Dhawale used his drone camera to take a video and photo of the nest and immediately submitted it to the forest officer.
The video and photo revealed that the nest contained three eggs and a baby bird. Bhende then instructed Engineer Bobade of Chandur Bazar to take a positive decision to save the bird's nest and continue with the road work.
After discussions between the forest officer and the Public Workers Department officials, the construction department accepted custody of the birds. It has been decided to continue the remaining road work without cutting down the tree until the birds grow up and fly away.
