42 lakh seedlings planted on day 1 of plantation drive

Nagpur: Despite forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar sensitizing MPs, MLAs, and MLCs about the importance of 13 crore plantations, the leaders kept away from the official event that kicked off from Gorewada on July 1.
Barring West Nagpur MLA Sudhakar Deshmukh, who arrived at the end of the programme, no MLC or MLA from Nagpur city and district attended the plantation programme inaugurated by guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule.

On day one, till filing of the report, 42 lakh saplings had been planted in the state. Marathwada and Western Maharashtra were leading in the plantation activity.

The forest department invitation had mentioned names of at least 20 dignitaries, including Union highways minister Nitin Gadkari, but none attended the programme. Those present included forest officials, employees, schoolchildren and families.

“This indicates politicians lack seriousness about saving environment and climate change issues. The negligence by MLAs comes despite state government allowing them to spend Rs25 lakh on plantations in their district,” said Shrikant Deshpande of Nature Conservation Association (NCA).

Bawankule said, in a bid to encourage plantations, Mahagenco plans to rope in women self-help groups (SHGs) to protect its plantations. “On the basis of polluter pays principle, the power generation company will plant seedlings on 10 acre land. Around 200 women from SHGs will get employment to protect and conserve these saplings for five years, for which they will get Rs5,000 per month. The saplings will be planted on 1,000 acre land in the district,” said Bawankule.

The minister also proposed development of green belts in all tehsils of the district. Each green belt will be developed in an area of 10 acre. To encourage students, the state government is contemplating to link plantations by giving additional marks to students. Bawankule said education minister Vinod Tawde is working on the plan.

Earlier, addressing the gathering, PCCF (production & management) SH Patil said, “To ensure the success of the drive, 26 crore saplings have been produced. I’m confident that the target will be achieved well in time.”

CCF (budget) Kalyan Kumar said drones are being pushed into service to monitor the plantations at select sites and area of plantations covered. “The saplings will be monitored by drones in October and later in May,” Kumar said.