Plantation venue turns into garbage dump

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 18

Seven months after a plantation drive was held alongside Buddha Nullah near Haibowal Bridge, the place has turned into a major garbage dump. Heaps of garbage can be seen at the same location where saplings were planted to enhance the green cover on the banks of the nullah.

In August 2018, the MC, in collaboration with the Army, had carried out the plantation drive alongside the Buddha Nullah. Around 100 saplings were planted during the campaign that was inaugurated by Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu.

The MC had reportedly roped in several NGOs to make sure that the saplings are taken care of, but nobody paid attention towards them. Now, it is difficult to stand near the place due to foul smell emanating from the garbage.

A resident, Jagjeet Singh, said: “A number of saplings were planted alongside the Buddha Nullah last year but nobody paid any attention towards them after that. It is very painful to see that the place has turned into a garbage dump.”

“It is good if plantation drives are carried out by the government departments, NGOs and welfare societies. But they must make sure that these plants are take care of. It has been seen that saplings often start wilting after a short period of time as nobody takes care of them,” he said.

A resident of Haibowal said: “The civic body must take steps to get the garbage dump removed from the area where the saplings were planted. The authorities need to take steps to protect the plants. Besides, there are several green belts in the city that have also turned into garbage dumps.”

Due to poor the solid waste management system, open garbage dumps have become nuisance for the public. Even in Swachh Survekshan 2019, the local MC has been ranked 163rd in the country.

Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu said he would look into the matter. “The static waste compactors to handle solid waste will be installed soon. Once the static waste compactors are installed, the problem of open garbage dumps will get resolved,” he said.

The Punjab Government had launched the ‘i-Hariyali’ app last year as part of Mission Tandrust Punjab to ensure a clean, green, healthy and robust Punjab with the active participation of the masses. Plantation was carried out at various locations in the city under the project.