Rasulpur: Saplings are being planted on the riverbed of Brahmani in Talapur pachayat under Rasulpur block of Jajpur. Locals have strongly opposed it, citing a strong reason that MGNREGS funds being used for the sapling plantation would only go down the drain. The locals have taken up the issue with the BDO and demanded that plantation drive on the riverbed be stopped immediately.
Reports said, funds have been sanctioned for sapling plantation on the riverbed along the embankment from Talapur to Dashaghar. “The land is pasture category, but has been part of the river over years. Besides, machines are being used in the plantation work instead of manual labour,” locals said. “During floods, all the saplings will be washed away. There are several instances in the past. Saplings had been planted on riverbed at Talapur, Rajendrapur and Singhapur panchayats. In 2020, floods happened and washed away all the saplings,” they added.
However, junior engineer of the block, Chunmun Nayak said that saplings have been planted at the place only after requests from some locals. “Plantation would protect the human settlements and the embankment. But some people are opposing it,” he pointed out.
