Naugaon: The government is said to be spending lakhs of rupees on roadside and open space plantation under the afforestation programme, but there is little to show for it at least in Naugaon block of Jagatsinghpur district.
The forest department, soil conservation department, block administration and several non-government organisations plant saplings during several occasions. But a few months later, most of these saplings either wither away due to lack of maintenance or go missing when they grow into young plants, alleged locals.
The present fate of the trees planted on both sides of Rohia-Arakhkud road, constructed under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, of Rohia panchayat under Nuagaon block, Kantunia-Chakulipada road and Garoi-Dhuanpada PWD road of Korua panchayat is enough to corroborate the allegations. Barring a few, all the trees have been cut away or have perished.
In September 2016, saplings were planted on both sides of the road from Dhuanpada village of Korua panchayat to Oshakana panchayat. “Kujang forest division and Naugaon block administration had spent Rs 3, 60, 000 under MGNREGS,” informed a source in the forest department.
About 1000 saplings were planted on both sides of this one-km long road. Out of these, only a few are now alive.
Locals alleged that the concerned departments and NGOs are not showing any interest to take care of the planted saplings.
This apart, if a work is undertaken under MGNREGS, putting up a signage describing details like cost and date of the project is a must. But here there is no such signage.
Such irregularities can also be found in Kuriki village of Tiruna panchayat under this block.
Locals have urged the concerned departments should take steps to ensure safe growth of the saplings to be planted in the coming days.
PNN
