Indian Express 18.12.2009
Want to get rich? Plant as many trees as you can
Plant trees and get rich. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in a bid to promote greenery in the city, will offer cash rewards to Mumbaikars who plant more trees. This despite the BMC projecting financial crisis for itself in coming years.
With its Rs 10-lakh rewards per ward scheme, the civic body hopes to attract NGOs, green lovers and common citizens to plant more trees in their surroundings. The BMC will start the cash incentive plan in 2010, and will utilise a fund of Rs 2.4 crores for the purpose. Till then, citizens would be awarded certificates. “But we think monetary incentives will encourage people to plant more trees and look after them. There are state and national awards for NGOs and individuals which offer cash rewards for green initiatives. On the similar lines, we will also provide monetary benefits,” Deputy municipal commissioner Chandrashekhar Rokde said.
Under the scheme, participants will be awarded for initiatives like maximum tree plantation by an individual, most green housing society, green area and green ward. A committee will be formed at ward level to examine the claims made by citizens and housing societies. “People wanting to be rewarded will have to fill up forms. Their efforts will be examined by the officials and experts by visiting the spot. No awards will be given without verification,” said garden superintendent R Vani.
The proposal for cash incentive has been mooted in the Tree Authority budget for 200-11. The budget is of Rs 665.9 crore, up from last year’s Rs 609.8 crore. The Tree Authority committee is yet to give its approval for the scheme. Also, since the civic body is burdened with financial crisis and is cutting down its frivolous expenses, the fate of the scheme is not known yet.
Officials said that the rewards for various categories — spreading awareness about greenery, more tree plantation and maintaining the trees— will be decided by the members of the authority.
According to a survey done in 2008, there are 19.17 lakh trees in the city; of which 30,000 are dead. Over 10,000 trees are allowed to be cut annually for development of new buildings, widening of roads and infrastructure projects. That’s besides a number of trees that are cut illegally. “There is a need to increase the green cover of the city and whatever measures undertaken by people need to be encouraged,” said an official.
