Kochi Metro: Tree plantation yet to achieve the target
12 Sep, 2014Reply to an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has revealed that that the assurance given at the time of the launch of the Kochi Metro Rail project regarding replenishing the greenery is not being fulfilled.
The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) had promised to plant 10,000 saplings by now to take care of the trees which were felled down during the project. The reply shows that only 2,100 saplings have been planted so far. There appears to be a blame game between the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) as to who is responsible for the planting of the trees.
Relying on the RTI data that shows around 1,600 trees have been cut down for the construction of Metro rail, the Environmentalists have asked for immediate measures to be taken. They have questioned the claim of the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) about planting of 2,100 saplings saying that the actual number is only about 1,800 and even these are not being cared. Referring to the non-availability of land as the reason for lack of plantation, Prof A Sitaraman, environmentalist, has offered to identify the land for KMRL.