Green cover loss: BMC to release draft policy

Bhopal: In its latest effort to clear confusion and apprehensions over loss of green cover in development of smart city, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to come out with a draft policy on proposed development over government housing quarters in Shivaji Nagar, said BMC commissioner Chhavi Bhardwaj, here on Saturday.
Some 1,800 government houses are marked for demolition and citizen groups are voicing concern over loss of green cover.BMC is also likely to come out with a tree census in the area next week.
BMC will introduce the plan and policy on development at Shivaji Nagar in public domain. Civic body would embark on consultations with citizen groups and take suggestions from citizens. Only one-third of 330 acre marked for Smart City project would witness any sort of construction activity. "We are committed to protecting the green cover," she added.
Meanwhile, environmental helpline along with a dozen volunteers began a tree census at the government housing colony at Shivaji Nagar and Tulsi Nagar. Around 200 homes have been covered in the first two days.
In a press release, NCHSE Environmental Helpline apprehended 'cutting of one lakh trees in Shivaji Nagar and Tulsi Nagar', quoting a participant. Organisation had placed the figure at 30,000 earlier. To further pressurise BMC, NCHSE will release their survey in the coming days, mentioning type and dimensions of each tree in the area.