downtoearth-subscribe

In the dumps

A PROJECT to develop green patches in the city of Ahmedabad has run into problems. The ambitious urban forestry programme, mooted by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), was started a year ago. Environmentalists say that lack of initiative by the voluntary agencies involved as well as municipal authorities is the reason behind the failure.

"Ahmedabad Green Partnership", as the project is called, involved 46 plots. But only 15 were let out to voluntary agencies, mostly in west Ahmedabad on a trial basis. A year after the plots were allocated, the AMC declared the project "unsuccessful" and has decided to withdraw 13 plots from the non-governmental organisations, says Mayur Dave, municipal recreation and cultural committee chairperson.

"Only two of these plots, one given to the SBl officers' association near Navdecp hall at Navrangpura and the other near Manekbaug at Nehrunagar handled by the Centre for Environment Education, have been successful and we have decided to let them keep the plots," said Dave.

Related Content