Champua: Pollution of the environment is a global concern now. One of the measures to fight pollution is through developing greenery. However, in this mineral-rich district, plantations are done in a haphazard manner leading to unnecessary waste of finance and energy.
A company had planted five hundred saplings at Ramla under Champua range as a part of its CSR activities in 2016-17. The activity was carried out with the assistance from Champua Forest Department. Two years down the line most of the saplings have died due to lack of proper care. The saplings were also planted erroneously with the polythene cover still sticking to their base.
Local residents said that the lack of experience among people associated with the development of greenery has proved fatal for the project. They have demanded disciplinary action against people involved in the plantation and supervision of the saplings.
When asked, Champua ranger Ghasiram Patra admitted that mistakes had been committed during the plantation of the saplings. Action will be taken against the guilty he promised and assured that new saplings will be planted soon.
Till then this sub-division in Keonjhar will continue to reel under the ill-effects of pollution.
PNN