Plantation cost per seedling in Bhubaneswar ranged from Rs 294 to Rs 2,158, revealed the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC) in response to a query by one Tapan Padhi through RTI Act.
According to the OFDC, nearly 1.5 lakh seedlings were planted at 46 locations in various parts of the city in last three years. While more than Rs 5 crore was spent for the plantation programme,
including establishment cost, nearly Rs 6.5 crore was released by different funding agencies, including the Forest and Environment Department, for the purpose.
Besides several Government departments and agencies like the Forest and Environment and the Public Works, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Public Health Division, besides various private companies and corporate houses, including Jindal, Aditya Birla, Hindalco, Essar Steel, MCl, Nalco, NTPC, Tata Steel, SAIl and lanco funded for the plantation drive.
While 76,000 seedlings were planted at ten locations in the city funded by the Forest and Environment department during 2010-11, the cost for a plant stood
at Rs 294.
But in 2012-13, the cost for a plant rose up to as high as Rs 2,158. Only 800 seedlings were planted during the year.
The SAIl provided Rs 18 lakh for the plantation, while the total expenditure incurred stood at Rs 17,91,500.