Gone are the days when Haridwar used to be a well-planned, clean and serene city with broad roads. Beautiful gardens and parks had added to its serenity. However, Haridwar now is not the only place in this Himalayan State where clean and green areas are being uprooted into unplanned settlements. Earlier, Kankhal area in this district was known for its breathtaking gardens. Not surprisingly, before the formation of Uttarakhand the area was popularly known as Kankhal Garden.
Unfortunately as it is, since the State came into exist, these parks and gardens are being converted into plots and colonies. Trees are being indiscriminately axed and concrete multi-storey buildings are mushrooming everywhere. The lone garden left in Kankhal near Hazaribagh crossing is under the greedy lens of the land mafias nowadays.
Over 100 trees standing here adds to the place’s serenity and the children spend their summer holidays in the tree-enshrouded place. Others also enjoy the lush green ambience in the mornings and the evenings. The land, belonging to Niranjani Akahara, a seer group, is spread over two acres. Various kinds of trees from Mango, Neem to Gauva are standing tall there.
A local resident alleged that plots are being sold by the seers of the Niranjani Akahara at the rate of Rs5,000 sq feet. He added that some “advance” is being taken as token money. As per the deal, possession of the land will be provided later after the land is freed from the trees. Another local said that some seers of the Akahara had put some white powder at the roots of the trees a week ago. They have stopped watering the plants, he said. Trees are drying and with salt like materials being put in their roots, the garden is withering away.
The residents add that some working in the district Horticulture department now posted in Haridwar are involved in the property dealing at the bidding of the realtors. However, the tradition of the officials looking the other way with lush green lands being clandestinely handed over to the land sharks has been going on for long.
It is worthwhile to note that before November 2012, permission of felling trees was granted by Divisional Forest Officer (DFO). By way of a Government notification, the authority was transferred to District Horticulture Officer of the concerned district. It is pertinent to mention that from April to August, no permission is given for felling trees. This is because trees flower during this period of time.
As per official data released by the Horticulture department of Haridwar for 2014-15, only 8415.12 hectare of land has remained left for horticulture across the district - a figure that tells about a decline as compared to the previous financial year’s survey.