And now greening of graveyards!

By V. N. Harinath

HYDERABAD, JUNE 24 It appears the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad has exhausted all avenues for taking up tree plantation. Under pressure from the Government to give a big thrust to its the `Clean and green' programme, the civic body has embarked on a scheme to plant about 10,000 trees in graveyards, of all places, by July.

Officials of the MCH seek to justify this decision by pointing out that it is very difficult to get other open areas, because most of them are being covered by an ambitious plan this year to plant about two lakh saplings/trees by the Corporation itself. Besides, the HUDA is taking up a green belt programme to cover 10 lakh saplings/trees.

Of the MCH target, 40,000 are avenue plantations and 1.6 lakh in parks, open spaces, Government institutions, water bodies, nallahs. Perhaps, it is constrained to opt for plantation in burial grounds because not many residential colony welfare associations are showing their keenness to take up the much discussed `Clean and green' programme, despite the administration's effort to give it a boost by setting apart every third Saturday for its implementation.

Explains Dr.P.K.Mohanty, Municipal Commissioner, "Burial grounds can be the best bet for the use of waste land for erecting City forestry. Greenery presents an aesthetic look to burial grounds. But we are taking care not to go in for ornamental plants. The green indigenous, native species like Neem, Marri, Ravi, Juvvi, Ganuga and Kigelia are being planted."

Initially, the scheme is being taken up in 28 graveyards spread over the twin cities and the adjoining areas. The sites selected are Barkas, Shalivahananagar, Subramanyanagar, Saidabad (two places), Singareni Colony, Puranapul, Moosarambagh, Meeralam Tank, Syed Shah Darga, Kachiguda, Arraspet, Ramnagar, Bapujinagar, Lalithanagar, Kavadiguda, Narayanguda (Christian burial places), Shanthinagar, Hakimpet, Gudimalkapur, Mahendra Hills, Boiguda, Bansilalpet, road nos.1,2,3,12 and MLA Colony in Banjara Hills, Erracheruvu and Devunicheruvu. Already digging work has been started in Banjara Hills, Shalivahananagar, Barkas and Gandhinagar.

Although there are 30 to 40 more graveyards in the City, the fact they are either involved in dispute or are located in highly problematic areas is putting off the MCH to include them in future. Maybe, once the problems get resolved the tree coverage could spread to more burial grounds.

Already the plantation taken up in Banjara Hills on road no.2 and 13 last year are being hailed by officials as "grand success" because the survival rate there is said to be cent per cent. While there are 1,450 plants in the burial ground on road no.2, the one on road no.13 accounts for 425.

Dr. Mohanty is concerned about the rising trend of theft of tree guards, mostly by urchins living in the adjoining slums who may be tempted by the money they secure by disposing them to scrap merchants. He appeals to members of the public living nearby and watchmen at the burial grounds to protect the tree guards and prevent their theft.

Talking about tree guards, the MCH is keen to promote their use at a subsidised rate of Rs.50 (each costs the MCH Rs.350) each in residential areas. Any residents' welfare association by paying a DD for Rs.50 in favour of the MCH could ask for its choice of trees. Under this scheme any number of trees could be planted. However, it would be difficult for the MCH to water the trees in internal colonies. In the case of colonies tree guards would not be required after three years as the tree grows and cattle can't eat it up.

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