Nagpur: Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has announced another mega plantation drive, setting a target of planting one lakh saplings on Sept 15, even as questions remain over the progress of the ambitious five-lakh sapling plantation campaign planned across Nagpur during August.The August campaign was not an NMC-only initiative, with multiple govt agencies, institutions, corporates, social organisations and citizens expected to participate.NMC commissioner Vipin Itankar has now directed the Garden Department to organise the special plantation campaign on Sept 15. Under the initiative, all NMC employees and students of municipal and private schools are expected to plant and protect at least one sapling each.The fresh drive comes after the civic administration and other participating agencies had set the five-lakh target for August. However, figures available with NMC Garden Department indicate that the plantation activity during the month fell significantly short of the overall target.Sources said that in August alone, less than 9,000 saplings were planted in the city.According to the department, 65,700 saplings have been planted so far this year. Of these, 7,325 saplings were planted at Gorewada Park. Institutions and citizens contributed 32,284 saplings, while corporate institutions provided 16,213 and social organisations contributed 9,389. Another 500 saplings have been planted along road dividers.The August campaign also exposed gaps in NMC’s own plantation efforts in all ten zones.Several saplings supplied by the Garden Department were also reportedly found drying up at various zonal offices due to inadequate watering and maintenance.NMC had earlier emphasised that the plantation campaign would involve not just planting saplings but also their long-term conservation and protection. Union minister Nitin Gadkari had also urged participating agencies and stakeholders to discharge their responsibilities effectively.“All NMC employees and students of private and municipal schools will be encouraged to take a pledge to plant and protect one sapling each,” said Ganesh Rathod, deputy commissioner, Garden Department, NMC.
