The Times of India            05.12.2010

Civic body's plantation claim goes dry

LUDHIANA: Tall claims made by the municipal corporation to maintain greenery in the city have fallen flat as central verges, roadside green belts and roundabouts are lying in a shambles. MC had claimed to have undertaken massive plantation drive but due to their carelessness, most of the saplings have gone dry while others have stunted growth.

Sources said the authorities had reportedly planted around 26,462 saplings in in July, August and September but without any proper planning, proving to be a wasteful expenditure. The civic body planted saplings of long trees under electricity wires and these could not grow well. Now again, the authorities were waiting for February and March for another plantation drive. But it would not serve the purpose unless the officials look after these well.

The employees did not care for watering the plants regularly and there were hardly any arrangements for pruning bushes. The MC authorities were leasing out green belts and central verges to advertisers for displaying their works, who in turn were responsible for maintaining the green belts. But the agencies failed to render their services. Therefore, MC officials had decided to charge Rs 1.5 lakh from the agencies as compensation for appointing labour to maintain greenery. Though, the agencies gave their consent, they were yet to start the payment.

MC landscaping officer Surinder Kumar said there was lack of adequate infrastructure and manpower with MC's horticulture department. So, it became difficult for maintaining the greenery. He added that he had sent a letter to the higher authorities for increasing the number of water tanks and gardeners in the department.