1,400 saplings found damaged At compensatory plantation site meant to offset felling of 36 trees

 

 

 

About 1,400 saplings planted by Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC) near catchment area of Futala lake were found uprooted within four months. These saplings were planted by the MSIDC against felling of 36 mature trees for the construction of the new District Collectorate and Divisional Commissionerate buildings in the city. The damage came to fore during a site visit by ‘The Hitavada’ on Tuesday. The plants are broken and uprooted and some are found dried due to lack of watering. It may be mentioned here that these saplings were part of the 1,400 to 1,500 plants claimed to have been planted by MSIDC as compensation for the trees cut for the Government buildings.

 

The MSIDC reportedly spent lakhs of rupees on the plantation drive. Each sapling had been provided with a tree guard, but many of these guards were found bent, damaged or ineffective, leaving the young plants vulnerable. The affected parcels showed clear signs of grazing and physical disturbance which suggest that basic protective arrangements had failed. A senior MSIDC official said the damage was allegedly caused by locals or animals entering the plantation areas. The official stated that while tree guards had been installed earlier, MSIDC would now erect wired fencing around the plantation sites to prevent further destruction. The official further claimed that replanting of damaged saplings has begun and is currently underway.

 

 

A resident stated that despite the assurance of corrective action, the incident raises serious questions about compliance with judicial directions. The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has laid down a clear principle that compensatory plantation must be carried out before tree felling and must be properly maintained so that the saplings survive. The condition of the plantation sites indicates that this obligation was not fully met, he said. Compensatory plantation is not achieved merely by planting saplings and recording numbers. Adequate protection, regular monitoring and timely maintenance are essential components of compliance. When saplings fail within months, responsibility rests with the project proponent, he stated and demanded action against the erring officials. Another activist stated that the incident has also placed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s garden department under scrutiny. As the statutory tree authority, it is required to inspect compensatory plantations and ensure compliance with conditions imposed while granting permission for tree felling.