Nayagarh: The roadside plantation drive under Pancharida forest range in Nayagarh forest division has gone for a toss as the saplings planted on both sides of Biruda-Kautara road four years ago have all disappeared.
The Pancharida forest range office had taken up the road side plantation drive along the Biruda (Shyamghanapur)-Kautara road under Biruda panchayat. In the 2015-16 fiscal, 2000 saplings were planted on the both sides of the stretch under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. At that time a budget of Rs 16, 59, 956 was earmarked for maintenance of these saplings. The responsibility was entrusted to the forest department to look after the saplings. However, that has not happened.
Among the 2000 saplings planted, only 200 or so are now blooming. The rest have failed to grow.
“Had the forest department was serious about its responsibility and carried out its duty properly, there would have been all the 2000 trees,” said local residents.
Some villagers also alleged that a section of the officials of the department had siphoned off the money meant for plantation by planting only 200 saplings instead of 2000.
“The corruption whiff is quite evident in this plantation drive. A proper inquiry will reveal the truth and action should be initiated against those found guilty,” said the locals.
When contacted, Pancharida ranger Archana Gamang said it has been just two months since she joined as ranger. “I have no knowledge about what happened four years ago. However, I will enquiry into the matter and take appropriate steps,” she informed.
PNN