BMC to launch plantation drive to increase green cover

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) will launch a massive plantation drive soon after the onset of monsoon in the city. It has started a survey and identified 77 parks, 32 crematoriums and medians on main arterial roads to plant trees.
BMC officials said the plantation is meant for beautification and creating a green canopy in the city. More than 10,000 trees would be required for it.
“We have identified the places where the planatation will be taken up but we will have to identify the species that will be planted in different parks. In the medians, we will go for shrubs, hedge and flower plants. Trees that provide good shade will be planted in crematoriums,” said BMC environment officer Basanta Kumar Malllick.
Fragile and exotic species are uprooted or broken because of wind as the city is cyclone prone. So, these varieties of species won’t be planted. In 2019, Odisha government procured hardy species and planted after the cyclone Fani destroyed around two lakh trees here. The hardy species can withstand wind speeds of more than 200 kmph.
Mallick said the city should look beautiful with plantation but its ambient environment is also important to reduce heatwave.
The BMC said they have been able to survive 90 of 5,000 shade-bearing trees that were planted after cyclone Fani as part of compensatory plantation. The trees were planted at vacant spaces in different wards and on roadside with the help of Odisha Forest development Corporation (OFDC).
“We selected species in post Fani plantation considering their longevity, wind resistance and adaptability to local environment. The species like neem, peepal, jamun, patuli, kackfruit, kanchan, ashok, naga champa and babula were planted, said an officer of BMC.
Earlier, experts had said a tree species called Alstonia scholaris (called chhatiyan in Odia) should be planted along the major roads as they withstand wind speed up to 250 kmph. Such trees planted on the stretch between CRP Square and Ekamra Kanan were never affected by the cyclone.
Inspired By