Ghaziabad - No land for plantations
No land for plantations, GDA says it cannot achieve the state government's target
The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has written to the state government expressing inability in achieving the plantation targets for the city.
The state government's target of planting one lakh saplings in the city this year cannot be achieved because there is no land. The Horticulture Department has stated that at least 50 acres is required. Despite an angry reminder by Special Secretary, Housing, Ram Bahadur Singh to initiate an intensive greening drive for the city, the agency has pleaded helplessness.
"The land bank is zero. Acquiring new land for plantations will require time. While last year we had overshot the plantation targets, this year there is no land to plant," says S. K. Dwivedi, GDA Vice Chairman.
Vision Plan 2021
In a joint drive this year, the District Administration and GDA planted 16,000 saplings in Kanavani near the Hindon riverbed only. Now with the GDA unable to complete the target for 2008, the idea of even achieving its future targets for a 'Green Ghaziabad' remains a bleak possibility.
As per Vision Plan 2021, the GDA has a target of developing 1,148 hectares into a green belt and parks and 1,336 hectares for city forests, rivers and restricted areas. "The GDA has sanctioned concrete structures all over the city but it seems dedicated green zones will never be a reality," says Ajay Chaudhary, a resident of Radha Kunj, where open land meant for plantations has been encroached by slum dwellers.
RWA Maintains Green Cover
The green cover in the city is commonly being maintained by Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs). Shipra Suncity has formed a four-member environmental committee for plantations, maintenance and watering of plants. In phase one, Rs 13,500 was spent in April. This year alone ap- proximately 500-700 trees have come up . "We do not allow unauthorised cutting of trees by any resident. We will file a police complaint if such a thing happens here. We have not got any assistance from the GDA for plantation or maintenance of greenery," says Sanjay Singh, general secretary, RWA, Shipra Suncity.
The RWA alone has planted approximately 35 neem trees, 20 palm trees and two banyan trees this year. The Delta Colonies RWA has done plantations along the Link Road and adopted a park in Rampuri. Kavi Nagar RWA is also maintaining parks as green zones.
"How can the GDA say that there is no land for plantation? They can help RWAs by appointing gardeners, giving tree guards, providing saplings and water facility," says S. K. Maheshwari, general secretary, Delta Colonies RWA.
Past Plans
This is not just the only green project target that the agency has failed to achieve. For instance Master Plan 2001 envisioned 1561.13 hectares of land as green belts and parks, out of which GDA could not even save 20 per cent from illegal colonies.
The 'Garden City' as per Master Plan 2001never materialised, GDA had even announced a city forest in Raj Nagar and a similar city forest is being developed in Sadarpur in a total of 600 acres.
"The GDA might have expressed inability to develop green areas because of lack of land but they could have added to the green cover by planting some trees under Kanshi Ram Yojna but nothing is being done," says V K. Mathuria, a resident of Ramprastha.
Official Speak
"We have not given up on the greening project for the city. New land is being acquired for the plantations. But that will take some time," says Dwivedi.
The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has written to the state government expressing inability in achieving the plantation targets for the city.
The state government's target of planting one lakh saplings in the city this year cannot be achieved because there is no land. The Horticulture Department has stated that at least 50 acres is required. Despite an angry reminder by Special Secretary, Housing, Ram Bahadur Singh to initiate an intensive greening drive for the city, the agency has pleaded helplessness.
"The land bank is zero. Acquiring new land for plantations will require time. While last year we had overshot the plantation targets, this year there is no land to plant," says S. K. Dwivedi, GDA Vice Chairman.
Vision Plan 2021
In a joint drive this year, the District Administration and GDA planted 16,000 saplings in Kanavani near the Hindon riverbed only. Now with the GDA unable to complete the target for 2008, the idea of even achieving its future targets for a 'Green Ghaziabad' remains a bleak possibility.
As per Vision Plan 2021, the GDA has a target of developing 1,148 hectares into a green belt and parks and 1,336 hectares for city forests, rivers and restricted areas. "The GDA has sanctioned concrete structures all over the city but it seems dedicated green zones will never be a reality," says Ajay Chaudhary, a resident of Radha Kunj, where open land meant for plantations has been encroached by slum dwellers.
RWA Maintains Green Cover
The green cover in the city is commonly being maintained by Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs). Shipra Suncity has formed a four-member environmental committee for plantations, maintenance and watering of plants. In phase one, Rs 13,500 was spent in April. This year alone ap- proximately 500-700 trees have come up . "We do not allow unauthorised cutting of trees by any resident. We will file a police complaint if such a thing happens here. We have not got any assistance from the GDA for plantation or maintenance of greenery," says Sanjay Singh, general secretary, RWA, Shipra Suncity.
The RWA alone has planted approximately 35 neem trees, 20 palm trees and two banyan trees this year. The Delta Colonies RWA has done plantations along the Link Road and adopted a park in Rampuri. Kavi Nagar RWA is also maintaining parks as green zones.
"How can the GDA say that there is no land for plantation? They can help RWAs by appointing gardeners, giving tree guards, providing saplings and water facility," says S. K. Maheshwari, general secretary, Delta Colonies RWA.
Past Plans
This is not just the only green project target that the agency has failed to achieve. For instance Master Plan 2001 envisioned 1561.13 hectares of land as green belts and parks, out of which GDA could not even save 20 per cent from illegal colonies.
The 'Garden City' as per Master Plan 2001never materialised, GDA had even announced a city forest in Raj Nagar and a similar city forest is being developed in Sadarpur in a total of 600 acres.
"The GDA might have expressed inability to develop green areas because of lack of land but they could have added to the green cover by planting some trees under Kanshi Ram Yojna but nothing is being done," says V K. Mathuria, a resident of Ramprastha.
Official Speak
"We have not given up on the greening project for the city. New land is being acquired for the plantations. But that will take some time," says Dwivedi.