Hyderabad: Forest authorities claim that Karimnagar is a success story for the last two phases of Haritha Haram. However, residents and school authorities believe otherwise.
Over 1200 saplings were planted during the second phase of Haritha Haram at the Sports School ground of Karimnagar, but only a dismal number of 30 plants survived.
Authorities claim that plantation drives in schools have seen an 88 per cent survival rate and therefore, 50,000 lakh saplings have been planned to be planted in schools for the third phase.
“Plants have been ordered to be planted in schools but who is supposed to take care of them? Students can water the plants once a day but saplings require intensive care if they are to grow well. How can plants in schools be expected to grow unless the government also chips in?” says a school teacher.
Mr Srinivas Rao, district forest officer of Karimnagar, said, “Mistakes in pit sizes and proper planting techniques cost us a lot of plants for the last two phases. But this year pits with the size of 45 to 60 cms have been dug in Karimnagar. We have drafted a plan that aspires 90% survival rate with timely intervention from our side too, rather than leaving the plant’s survival to nature."
Environmentalist Shi-lpa Sivakumaran said, “Although it is a good plan by the government to increase green cover, the implementation needs to be checked. So many saplings are planted for each phase of Haritha Haram, but what about the survival rate and the quality of the seedlings? If the seeds were of good quality, we could definitely ensure more survival. There are repeated complaints by so many residents.”
Many colonies in Karimnagar were recipients of plants but residents claim that it has not led to good results. Ms Shaina Khan, a resident of Karimnagar, said, “The government's duty ends with the plantation. They just place the plants and go, after which they do not even look after them. But so many plants are placed haphazardly in the colony, right at the entrance that vehicles and people do not notice them. They do not survive even as saplings.”
