Green project in Ggm hit roadblock

Gurugram: In order to improve Gurugram's air quality and also to enhance its green cover, the Haryana government had planned to create a city forest on the outskirts of the city. However, even after two years after the ambitious green project was announced, it is yet to see the light of the day.

A major reason for the delay is the inability of the public agencies to get the large areas of land needed to create these forests. A major blow to the Gurugram public agencies came recently when villagers of Sakatpur village refused to give their 100 acres of panchayat land for the green project. Moreover, the villagers have also taken the matter to Punjab and Haryana High Court to stop public officials from taking over their land.

On their part, a senior public official mentioned that the process of consultations and negotiations with the villagers of these projects is an ongoing process and soon a breakthrough will be achieved.

Under the city projects, the Gurgram public agencies plan to build water bodies, arboretum, recreation center, medicinal plant garden and a bamboo park surrounded by nature trails The area will be fenced and a mass plantation drive will be carried out to increase the green cover.

The city forest will be developed in the Aravalli hills and foothills in villages Sakatpur, Gairatpur Bas and Sikohpur.

As per the plan, the new city forest when developed will be bigger than Aravali Biodiversity Park, which is spread across 300 acres. The department plans to encourage the plantation of native tree species in the forest.

The project is a joint venture of the district administration, forest department and some private companies under the corporate social responsibility. Moreover, the public authorities plan to distribute these areas to private companies interested in tree plantation and maintenance of these areas for at least four years.