Mysuru:  This is the World Environment Month and India was the host nation for World Environment Day on June 5. For a sustainable living ‘Go Green’ has become the mantra. The Forest Department, in association with the NGOs and voluntary organisations, is planting saplings at vacant spots and road sides as part of tree planting programmes.

The planting of saplings, likewise, has been going on at the foot of Chamundi Hill near the roadside of JSS Ayurveda Hospital. However, such a noteworthy programme is not without its blemish. And what is so objectionable about this? It is that the saplings are being planted indiscriminately, right under the power lines overhead, which clearly shows the lack of common sense among the officials.

Once the saplings grow into trees, the branches will touch the power lines. Then either the branches have to be cut or the trees uprooted. Without even realising that it could pose danger in the future, saplings are  being planted.

In the city many trees are touching the overhanging electricity wires. The CHESCom staff keep cutting or trimming the branches every now and then. In spite of these problems, the officials continue to commit mistakes by planting saplings under the power lines, said a senior citizen expressing his displeasure.

Earlier mistakes rectified: After the citizens had commented on this unscientific approach to planting of saplings, there are several incidents of the Departments concerned waking up and rectifying their mistakes.

For instance, the saplings were being planted inside the retaining walls of Chamundi Hill. When the public saw this they warned that once the trees grow, it could create problems. Problems could arise if the plants are grown on the side of narrow roads as it could affect traffic movements in the future. Hence, they protested against planting of saplings on this stretch. The then Mayor Sandesh Swamy, noticing the problems, had got the plants removed and got it planted outside the retaining wall. Now, most of them have grown into tall trees.

When late Harshakumar Gowda was an MLA, he had chalked out a tree planting programme on Jodi Tenginamara Road in Bannimantap. However, the public, seeing the people in charge planting the saplings below the power line, brought it to the notice of Gowda. Immediately, he got the plantings on the other side of the road where there were no power lines. The saplings planted then have now grown into luscious trees and is providing shade to a lot of people.

If the public had not cautioned at that time, due to the apathetic attitude of the people concerned who were in charge of the programme then, most of the trees today would have been under the power lines and caused untold problems and probably the trees would have had to be brought down.

It is not just enough to be a part of the Green Movement. The officials concerned should have a sense of responsibility in discharging their duties by being committed to the cause and directing the staff to take the right steps of planting the saplings at the right places. They should be clearly told that saplings must not be planted under power lines or where overhead cables are running. All they require is a little common sense to see where to or where not to plant the saplings, said the senior citizen.