Harichandanpur: Even as the government pumps in crores of rupees through various schemes to plant trees for creation of new forests, the objectives seem a distant dream due to a lackadaisical attitude of department officials.
For instance, several packets of micronutrient fertilizer, instead of being applied to the plants for their proper growth, were seen rotting near a soil conservation office in this block of Keonjhar district.
The fertilizer packets were brought by the soil conservation department for the proper growth of mangos and cashew saplings planted in Pitapiti and Jhadapokhari village, it was learnt.
Every year the department spends crores of rupees to set up nurseries to encourage plantation in tribal-dominated Harichandanpur block. However, the money goes in drain due to corrupt and insincere officials.
Though the officials succeeded in raising plants in some areas with the participation of locals, at many places the growth of plants remained extremely discouraging due to shortage of fertilizers. Often fertilizers are sold in open market instead of being applied to plants, a villager under condition of anonymity disclosed.
The rural forestry programme remains a failure in the block as the department staff hardly provide attention for the preservation and maintenance of the saplings, locals alleged.
Many packets of spilled fertilizers near the temporary office of soil conservation department at Akhipal are a case in point.
Meanwhile, the wastage of expensive fertilizers, with a MRP of Rs 900, has triggered resentment among the people.
When contacted, junior engineer Ratnakar Jena said the department cannot store the fertilizer inside the office. The owner of the land should ensure the safety of the plants, he nonchalantly said.
Locals, however, smelt a trace of corruption in the whole affair. They demanded a vigilance probe to bring facts to the fore. PNN
