Shimla: Approval to building maps to come with green rider

Shimla, July 28

The Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC) has proposed that to get a building map approved, an applicant must plant a tree sapling and also take care of it.

The applicant will have to present a letter, pledging that he will plant a sapling and also look after it. Under the move, aimed at boosting the green cover in the town, the applicant will have to plant a sapling on the plot or in the nearby forest area.

A team of the Municipal Corporation will visit the site and inspect the sapling and only after that, the building map will be cleared.

Shimla Municipal Corporation Mayor Surender Chauhan has held a discussion regarding the proposal with officials of the Forest Department.

He said a proposal had been prepared and will be presented for approval at the monthly meeting of the House on July 29. “Discussions will be held during the meeting regarding the proposal after which it will be sent to the state government for approval,” he said.

“Over the years, hundreds of trees have been axed for the construction of new buildings in the town. The green area in the town is going down year after year. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the environment and plant as many trees as possible,” the Mayor said.

He added that the Municipal Corporation was serious about environment conservation and was also taking other initiatives in this regard.

Every year, the Municipal Corporation receives around 500 applications on an average for the construction of new buildings under its jurisdiction.