Monday, December 6, 2010

Trees being grown on paper only in Vashi

Trees being grown on paper only in Vashi
Vashi node is said to be one of the greenest nodes in Navi Mumbai though it has only around 75,000 trees for the estimated population of two lakh. The minimum ratio for healthy city is one man, one tree.
The most important condition for acquiring Occupancy Certificate is the plantation of one tree per 100 square metre of development. This rule is followed more in its breach. No wonder, the reason why the city is receiving low rainfall can be found here.
The Town Planning Office of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) that sanctions the Occupancy Certificate is alleged to certify that the trees have been planted charging Rs.5000 per tree as security deposit. Hence these trees end up being planted on paper while the city environs are left barren. Every citizen in the city who turns a blind eye to this violation is as guilty as the officials allowing the breach, say concerned denizens of city.
Not only Vashi but Navi Mumbai too fares poorly in the man and tree ratio. For its estimated population of 12,00,00 it has just 47,91,20 trees . The minimum ratio for healthy city is one man one tree. Unless denizens wake up to the call a natural disaster is waiting to happen. Each year the Corporation plants or distributes around 50,000 saplings all over Navi Mumbai. Around 8,000 come under the share of Vashi. City-based NGOs too organize similar drive.
Unfortunately, even the existing trees are not cared for properly. Unless this job is taken up seriously, the existing trees will also wear a ghost look and the city will be left with only a concrete jungle, fear environmentalists. She suggests each citizen to take up the responsibility of planting, sustaining and growing at least one tree in his/her vicinity, be it at home, the place of study or work. By doing this only we can dream of a healthy city for the present and next generation.

—Jaspal Singh Naol

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