To maintain ecological balance and a pollution free atmosphere in the industrial belt of Jharsuguda district, plantation is inevitable.
But unfortunately, the industrial houses are not paying attention to the vital need for a green belt in around 33.3 per cent area of their total premises. This has been specifically directed by the District Environment Committee though.
A grave concern was expressed by the committee members during a review meeting held on Friday here.
As per a report, not a single industrial house has able to achieve even 50 per cent of the target of plantation.
The plantation is almost nil since 2010-11 in the Orient and Ib valley areas of MCl. Similar is the case with other industries. Although a handful of trees were planted on the road side, the same did not survive for want of care.
The meeting was presided over by district Collector Parameswaram B and attended by all the members of the District Environment Committee and DFO Aswini Kar along with other officials.