Plant bank to nurture Kolkata’s green thumb

KOLKATA: A ward coordinator and a businessman who finances tree restoration efforts have joined hands to set up a community plant bank in Bhowanipore to encourage people to take a plant and nurture it in their home.
Ward coordinator Asim Bose, who had earlier with the help of I-Lead chairman Pradeep Chopra set up a free street library in Chakraberia, has located the plant bank in a children’s park at the intersection of Allenby Road and Dr Rajendra Road.
The plant bank will start on Independence Day with 120 indoor plants. Visitors to the children’s park where it will be located can pick up a plant free of cost and even take tips on its upkeep from a gardener. The bank will be replenished periodically by Vijay Agarwal, a businessman and nature lover who has helped restore trees felled by cyclone Amphan at both Rabindra Sarobar and the Maidan.
“Like many, I too am passionate about flora. I marvel at how a sapling that requires to be watered and nurtured grows into a majestic tree that then provides oxygen and shelter. In the plant bank, we are starting with four varieties of plants — Aralia golden, Money plant, Pleomele or Song of India and Eurasian pink. All the plants are indoor ones that grow to a maximum height of 1.5m,” said Agarwal.
“We want people, be they young or elderly, to take home a plant and care for it. Nowadays, most of us live in apartments and do not have a connect with plants. Reviving the connection is very necessary. In addition, the greenery can lead to improved home environment,” said Bose.
While Agarwal has committed to replenish the racks whenever they become empty, Bose hopes there will be donors as well to keep the spirit of giving going. People can donate plants or money with which plants can be purchased for the bank.