The Times of India                17.06.2013

Plant trees, Nashik Municipal Corporation urges citizens

NASHIK: The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has appealed to environment activists, educational institutions, government organizations, business houses, real estate developers, industrialists and tree lovers in general to take a greater role in planting trees in the city.

Those interested in planting trees near their houses, near commercial complexes, open spaces, playgrounds or in schools can get in touch with their division officer to seek permission, upon which they will receive the saplings and the tree guards from the NMC. Officials of the garden department said those who plant the trees will be responsible for taking care of them and watering them regularly.

S R Vanjari, the NMC's environment officer said, "We have a target of planting 50,000 trees this year." He said public participation in planting and conserving the trees would help in achieving the target and keeping the city green.

Non-governmental organizations working for the environment, like Manav Utthan Manch (MuM) and others, have often questioned why Nashik still does not have a tree authority committee. They have appealed to the NMC to form the committee at the earliest.

The civic body is, however, in no hurry to constitute the tree authority committee that was dissolved over a year ago during the civic polls. "We will see what can be done about it and will take an appropriate decision. As of now, all the garden related work is being done by following proper procedures," said an official.