The people of Dehradun have expressed varied opinions responding to Chief Minister Harish Rawat’s initiative to undertake tree plantation as a public campaign.
The people, especially the youngsters, appear keen to take part in tree plantation drive. But if the Government does not take things beyond uttering platitudes at formal programmes presided over by the politicians the enthusiasm might wane.
“If the urban gentry wishes to plant trees the question is where they would plant them,” said Nishant, a resident from Dalanwala.
Referring to CM’s announcement of tree planters being rewarded by the State Government with cash prizes as part of Harela campaign, a resident of Garhi Cantt, Abhijay said things would depend on who would decide names for distribution of such cash prizes. “If the same officials who bungled with the names of the disaster relief beneficiaries are to decide names for such cash prizes the people had better plant trees on their own instead of looking up to the Government for cash prizes and the like,” he said.
Despite everything, it is clear that the people are evincing considerable interest about their participation in the tree plantation campaign.
However, not everyone is clear about whence to get the saplings. “I long to plant a tree every year on my birthday but I still don’t know where to get the sapling from and where to find a place to plant it and watch it grow unhindered,” said Maina, a college student.
Some said they would collect the saplings from their neighbourhood nurseries because of their lower prices.
“We tend to squander away money on trifles like socialising. A sapling costs around Rs100-150. It is nothing. It is moreover a delight to view a sapling grow gloriously,” said Raghav, another college student. He also added that if anyone finds it difficult to find a nursery in the neighbourhood Moti Bazaar is a convenient option to get various types of seeds and plants.
“The denizens of the city and the Government must work in tandem to help Doon retain its greenery,” said an observer.