36
A total of 151 species of trees were encountered
in the city and ten most important of them have
been given in Table-18.
Tree cover in Vadodara is very good and may be
listed among the green city in India. Among four
major cities having population over one million
in Gujarat, the tree cover is highest in Vadodara.
Like Surat, the tree population is evenly
distributed among different species. Palace
compound, campus of Railway Staff College and
open space along Vishwamitri River have good
tree cover.
Number of trees having large dimension is very
good. There are 5,280 trees which have girth
between 200 and 250 cm and 2470 trees have
GBH above 300 cm.
Over hundred crocodiles live in Vishwamitri
River. Crowding of crocodiles in small
Vishwamitri River within the Vadodara city area
is an interesting. People do not harm these
crocodile. Also, human injuries or death are very
rare.
During greening Vadodara campaign in 2010,
over 2.22 lakh seedlings/saplings were planted
in two days. Vadodara Municipal Corporation
carries out tree plantation every year to improve
greenery of the city.
There are several lakes and ponds in and around
the city. The areas around these water bodies
should be planted by suitable species like Vad,
Pipal, Jamun, Neem, Khati-amli.
There is a large Banyan tree in the campus of
Gujarat State Fertilizer Corporation Ltd. The
canopy coverage of this tree is about 4,000 m. It
is above 300 years old tree.
Carbon stock in the tree cover has been
estimated about 1.55 lakh Carbon tones and
annual sequestration rate by the growing stock
is about 5,900 Carbon tones.
Conclusion:
Tree cover is adequate within
city area. Tree line may be maintained along
Vishwamitri River. Vadodara is expanding in new
area. The present norm of 15% tree cover should
be maintained in the new society. There are
several lakes/ponds in the city. Status of these
water bodies and the banks of Vishwamitri river
should be improved by planting suitable species.
Vadodara city area has adequate tree cover
