The New Indian Express                  30.03.2013

BBMP seeks ban on Chinese manja

 

A kite got one of its feet by Chinese manja, a nylon thread, while flying in Bangalore. 

The chief conservator of forest (CCF) of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has proposed a ban on Chinese manja (nylon string used for fighter kites) which kills at least five birds and disables 20 in a year. The proposal is now placed before the principal chief conservator of forest for his approval.

BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah, who has given a nod to the proposal,  has asked the CCF to take a firm decision regarding the ban. Since the ban cannot be imposed under the Karnataka Municipal Act, the CCF has forwarded a letter to the principal chief conservator of wildlife in this regard for his approval. Siddaiah said, “I have asked the chief conservator of forest to take up the matter with the Forest Department.” Chief conservator of forest Brijesh Kumar said, “Chinese manja could prove fatal for humans too, and we want it to be banned,”

BBMP Wildlife warden Sharat Babu, who receives at least four calls to rescue birds every day, said, “The wildlife team had sought the help of Fire and Emergencies Services Department and BESCOM to rescue birds. But so far none has come forward to think over the ban.”

Babu expressed concern over the safety of birds as children fly kites during summer vacations. The strings which dangle from trees and buildings could claim lives of birds and pose a threat to rescue operators’ lives.  “The Forest and Environment Department in Gujarat banned Chinese manja after it analysed the threat it posed to the birds. Ban on Chinese manja and any kind of plastic threads to fly kites has been imposed there and we want a similar move even in the city,” Babu said.

The Indian Express                     29.03.2013

BMC proposes, tree panel disposes

BMC's proposal to appoint Pune-based company, Lotus Environment, to conduct tree census in the city was Thursday shot down by the Tree Authority Committee. The Pune-based company was earlier blacklisted by the Pune Municipal Corporation for failing to fulfil its contract with it.

"While three companies were shortlisted for the project, the lowest bidder was Lotus Environment. As we have not received any formal intimation from the Pune Municipal Corporation of blacklistng this company, we had planned to go ahead with the proposal," said K R Yadav, Superintendent of Gardens and Tree department.

The civic body's tree census programme, which was expected to begin in July last year had run into trouble last year for the lack of enough bids. Finally, the bidding process saw three companies bid for Rs 6-crore project.

Since the bidding process was opened in October, contractors have cried foul saying the civic body reserved the Rs 6-crore tree census project to a single company. "Most of the other bidders were rejected on technical grounds. They put conditions in the tender to include only companies that have prior experience in conducting tree census with GPS, and those that conduct carbon sequestration," the owner of a company who wanted to bid for the project said.

Using GPS technology, the civic body hopes to bring more transparency in recording the city's green cover, say officials. "We have rejected the proposal for tree census as the company which was supposed to conduct the census has been blacklisted by the Pune Municipal Corporation for failing to complete the project on several counts," said Shubha Raul, Tree Committee member and Shiv Sena corporator. While the civic administration is planning to call for new tenders, its ambitious project to conduct tree census and find solutions for the dwindling green cover is once again getting delayed.

BMC's proposal to appoint Pune-based company, Lotus Environment, to conduct tree census in the city was Thursday shot down by the Tree Authority Committee. The Pune-based company was earlier blacklisted by the Pune Municipal Corporation for failing to fulfil its contract with it.

"While three companies were shortlisted for the project, the lowest bidder was Lotus Environment. As we have not received any formal intimation from the Pune Municipal Corporation of blacklistng this company, we had planned to go ahead with the proposal," said K R Yadav, Superintendent of Gardens and Tree department.

The civic body's tree census programme, which was expected to begin in July last year had run into trouble last year for the lack of enough bids. Finally, the bidding process saw three companies bid for Rs 6-crore project.

Since the bidding process was opened in October, contractors have cried foul saying the civic body reserved the Rs 6-crore tree census project to a single company. "Most of the other bidders were rejected on technical grounds. They put conditions in the tender to include only companies that have prior experience in conducting tree census with GPS, and those that conduct carbon sequestration," the owner of a company who wanted to bid for the project said.

Using GPS technology, the civic body hopes to bring more transparency in recording the city's green cover, say officials. "We have rejected the proposal for tree census as the company which was supposed to conduct the census has been blacklisted by the Pune Municipal Corporation for failing to complete the project on several counts," said Shubha Raul, Tree Committee member and Shiv Sena corporator. While the civic administration is planning to call for new tenders, its ambitious project to conduct tree census and find solutions for the dwindling green cover is once again getting delayed.