INDORE: Known for having a healthy green cover some decades ago, Indore is now on the verge of getting 'choked,' literally. The reason, activists say, is the rapid pace of development that is depleting city's green cover, transforming it from 'green jungle' to a concrete jungle.
While the rate of construction in the city is more than 14 percent at present, the green cover is not even 8 percent. "The green cover in the city was more than 13% in 1972 but now it has gone down by more than five percent. This shows that authorities are not taking care of the city," said Kishore Kodwani, a social worker.
As per the data of Indore Development Authority, 489 acre of land in the city was to be created as green area by the Authority. However, experts say that what is made green on paper is not actually green on the land. "You see parks and demarcated green areas around the city. But surprisingly, you'll find that most of these areas don't have trees planted on them," said Anil Bhandari, vice chairman, Centre for Environment Protection, Research & Development.
Officials of Indore Municipal Corporation, who manage the parks and green areas in the city, said that they were not able to keep the parks green due to lack of water in summer season. "The situation will improve as monsoon arrives," said Shantilal Yadav, garden officer, IMC.
The rapid depletion of green cover is leading to rise in pollution levels in the city. The problem is compounded further by the fact that more than one lakh vehicles are added to the roads of Indore every year. Reports reveal that the cases of air borne diseases have gone up by 10 percent in last one year.
"The pollution has increased in every sphere be it air, sound or water. You need to create a green cover in the city if you want to stop this," said Janak Palta, a social activist.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, IDA in a meeting held recently, set an agenda for tree plantation in the city. The Board decided that new land suitable for makings parks would be chosen and plantation would be done on them. IDA would plant tress so that they can grow on their own after two years. Land of private colonies would also be used for plantation.
"We are planning to involve individuals and NGOs for plantation. We would need public support to complete the plan," said IDA chairman Shankar Lalwani.
