Champua: Pollution of environment is a global concern now. One of the measures to fight pollution is through developing greenery. However, in this mineral-rich district, plantations are done in a rather haphazard manner leading to unnecessary waste of finance and energy.
A company had planted 500 saplings at Ramla under Champua range as part of its CSR activities in 2016-17. The activity was carried out with assistance from Champua forest department. Two years down the line most of the saplings have died due to lack of care. The saplings were also planted erroneously with the polythene cover still sticking to their base.
Local residents said lack of experience among people associated with the development of greenery told on the project. They have demanded disciplinary action against people involved in the plantation and supervision of saplings.
When asked, Champua ranger Ghasiram Patra admitted that mistakes had been committed during the plantation of saplings. Action will be taken against the guilty, he said, adding that new saplings will be planted soon. Till then this sub-division in Keonjhar will continue to reel under the ill-effects of pollution.
