Citizens not involved in beautification

I see two problems which are responsible for the beautification and greenery drives of the BMC being practically a non-starter. While the...

I see two problems which are responsible for the beautification and greenery drives of the BMC being practically a non-starter. While the population is growing by leaps and bounds, the green cover has more or less not increased, resulting in imbalance in the ratio of greenery and the population.

Firstly, the Development Plan DP has not been implemented in totality all these years, and secondly, there is very little involvement of the people in ensuring that the city is beautified and maintained. The areas reserved in the DP for gardens and playgrounds have been encroached upon in many cases and are not available to the garden department for development. The authorities should have ensured that plots marked for gardens are handed over to the concerned departments for development.

Also, very few people are enthusiastic about coming forward and assisting the BMC in the work. In some of the cases, the groups want to charge an entry fee for parks and gardens. But this defeats the very purpose of having apublic garden, for a garden is meant to provide free service to citizens.

The BMC does not have enough funds to maintain gardens. We are already maintaining over 100 gardens, and it is not possible for the administration to take on any new ones.

The process of giving permissions for adoption of public parks takes time as different departments are involved in it. Also, all the conditions stated by the groups do not fit in with the norms of the corporation and are therefore rejected.

Small plantations are completely destroyed by chidren playing in parks and gardens. What we need is education and awareness that plants need to be preserved. It is everybody8217;s duty to protect trees. Instead of just pointing fingers at the BMC, tell the corporation that you have planted a tree and that you are also maintaining it.

It is high time citizens groups, clubs, offices and industrial houses adopted roads and gardens in and around their respective areas.

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It has been observed that a large number of students utiliseour playgrounds but care little to ensure that they are maintained clean. We do not expect students to sweep the roads and playgrounds, but they can at least ensure that garbage is not strewn around the place.

K L Velodi is superintendent in charge of gardens in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation