JDA's plantation drive to protect green cover soon

Jaipur: The Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) will soon initiate plantation of trees as the shrinking green cover has become a serious threat. The programme will be executed during monsoon.
The civic body has sought Rs 17 crore to carry out plantation work this year. The JDA is planning to plant trees in three areas - Vasihali Nagar , Jagatpura , Prithvi Raj Nagar (PRN), where enough land for plantation is available.An official said that in PRN scheme plantation, work will be done in colonies, which are regularised by JDA. JDA will spend Rs 2.85 crore for planting trees and sapling in zones 17, 18, 19 of PRN scheme.
"In Jagatpura area, the horticulture wing has proposed to plant of palm trees and ornamental plants on 200-feet road, which will be costlier in comparison to other plants. The JDA has decided to spent Rs 3 crore in this regard. Similarly, for plantation and maintenance of trees on Ajmer road, Civil lines, Vaishali Nagar, it has proposed to spend RS 4 crore," said an official.
According to the Master Plan 2025, it is proposed to enhance per capita of open space to 8.80 sq metres for a population projected to grow at 6.50 million by 2025.
Presently, the city has only 11.3% of its area under green cover which falls short of the mandatory 20% as per the Master Plan 2025.
The JDA and forest officials admit that increasing green cover in the city is a Herculean task and needs sustained efforts and adequate resources, mainly land.
"The green cover in the city can only be increased if adequate land is available. Developers of private housing schemes earmark only 1% of land for parks where trees can be planted. ," said a senior horticulturist.