The Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department has warned that ward members or special officers of any urban local body could be ‘disqualified’ or ‘removed’ from service if they are unable to ensure 85% survival of plants in the Haritha Haram programme.
Drastic action
The District Collector concerned has been empowered under the new municipal ordinance to take such a drastic action if the duo are found to be lackadaisical in their approach towards the programme leading to poor survival of plants.
The Mayor, municipal chairperson and commissioner concerned too should take responsibility for proper upkeep and growth of nursery, said Director of Municipal Administration T.K. Sreedevi.
She urged the Collectors to immediately develop ‘Green Action Plans’ in their respective regions making use of the 10% ‘green budget’ - for plantation, survival and maintaining the nursery, allocated in the overall budget to give a big push to the saplings plantation this year.
Such action plans are to be initiated under the supervision of the district-level committee headed by the Collector and also consisting of the district forest officer (social forestry) or an equivalent officer. The committee is to formulate the action plan for a period of five years clearly specifying the number of saplings to be planted taking into consideration the area, topography and availability of space.
In the communication to the Collectors, she reminded that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is personally reviewing the flagship programme of the government regularly. The district panel committee should also decide the size and location of the municipality nursery to meet the requirements of the urban local body. It would also be deciding the district specific plants and species to ensure “maximum survival and growth” of these plants.
She also urged a multi-media campaign to propagate the plantation campaign involving hoardings, cinema slides and other avenues to home in the message. For citizens intending to take planting of saplings in their respective plots, the plants would be given free of cost. Surprise inspections by flying squads too has been mooted.
