Haritha Haram plants withering away

Nizamabad: The Haritha Haram programme started by the TRS government with great fanfare may not last long and the reason for this is not far to seek. In many places in the district, the plantation drive is slowly fizzling out due to lack of adequate quantities of water to sustain the plants.

Although the district administration in Nizamabad has earned a good name for planting the largest number of saplings and stood first, the officials concerned are not taking enough measures to save the plants from withering away. The District Collector Yogitha Rana received the Best Collector’s award for taking the initiative in planting .36 crore saplings, surpassing the target of 3.35 crore saplings, the target fixed by the State government.

They need to be watered regularly but this is not being done. Moreover, fencing is not being done at several places. Recently, it was found that 300 saplings that were planted in the 45th municipal ward of Gautham nagar in the town started withering away as they were not being watered. Some of them found in a heap were left there without being distributed.

Although the District Collector who received the award from the Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao at the Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad on Independence Day told the district officials that it was their responsibility to protect the plants, they are not taking any measures to protect them. It has to be seen as to what action, Rana might take against the officials for their negligence and indifference.