Neglect of green belts sparks public outcry

During the first week of July, when Van Mahotsav is celebrated across the country to plant saplings and expand green belts, the district administration and civic authorities are usually quick to take part. However, after the saplings are planted, there is little effort to protect and maintain them, particularly along road dividers, beneath elevated roads and in the areas adjoining BRTS lanes on Mall Road. As a result, many of these saplings have dried up and perished.

This situation has raised concerns among residents. Arshdeep Singh, a local citizen, expressed frustration over the state of the green belts, saying, “The departments concerned, including the Municipal Corporation, have failed to maintain the green belts in the city.” He highlighted the poor condition of the ornamental plants along road dividers beneath elevated roads. “Most of the plants have died and the remaining ones are on the verge of drying up due to lack of proper care,” he added.

Every year, the district administration and civic authorities become serious about plantation drives during the monsoon season; however, once the trees are planted, no one seems to care about their upkeep.

An environmentalist, Parkash Singh Bhatty, shared his experience of the situation. He said earlier this year, a local politician bought around 500 saplings from his organisation to plant along roadsides in the upscale Ranjit Avenue during the Van Mahotsav. He said, however, that when Bhatty visited the area a few days later, he was disappointed to see the poor condition of the plants. “Only a small number of plants survived, and the rest vanished due to lack of watering and maintenance,” he said. He stressed plants need the utmost care, especially during the summer and winter months.

Bhatty said, “I have a tanker to water the plants; however, I do not have the funds for fuel. If the administration cooperates, I will make sure no plant dies due to water scarcity.”

RTI activist Parbodh Chander Bali raised another concern, noting that vendors have encroached upon several green belt areas and the authorities have turned a blind eye to this problem. Bali had previously served a notice to the Municipal Corporation regarding poor maintenance and encroachments on green belts.

In response, MC Commissioner Gulpreet Singh Aulakh, who recently joined office, acknowledged the problem and said a permanent solution was being worked on. “No government or official can solve this problem alone; the people must cooperate,” he said. Aulakh said he had recently met with banks and industrialists and urged them to adopt and take responsibility for the upkeep of green belts. He said, “They can display their boards on these green belts. In the coming days, you will see the difference,” he added.