Saharsa: Greenery Confined Only to Papers! Millions of Plants Grown Under Jeevika Withered Away Due to Lack of Care; Administrative Claims Exposed
Saharsa (Bihar): Large-scale tree plantation campaigns are being run in Saharsa district, Bihar, for environmental conservation and to make the surroundings green, but ground realities are exposing the hollowness of these claims. While massive numbers of plants are claimed to be planted on paper, a severe lack of greenery is clearly visible on the ground. Particularly, millions of saplings were planted in various areas under the 'Jeevika' scheme, but due to a lack of proper care, water, and protection, most of these plants have either withered away or completely perished.
According to detailed accounts, the funds poured like water under government schemes and administrative apathy raise a major question mark on environmental conservation. Let us examine a detailed analysis of the core points and ground reality of this situation.
Paper Statistics vs. Ground Reality
Administrative statistics regarding tree plantations may look grand on paper, but the situation on the ground is starkly different.
Wastage of Millions of Plants: Under Jeevika and other administrative drives, millions of saplings were planted across the district with the primary objective of maintaining ecological balance.
Severe Lack of Maintenance: After planting, no arrangements were made for regular irrigation, weeding, or protection using tree guards, as a result of which most plants succumbed to the intense heat and lack of conservation.
Lax Functioning of Administrative Schemes
Schemes are launched by spending crores of rupees, but due to a lack of monitoring, expected outcomes are not achieved.
Misuse of Funds: Experts believe that if the plants had been properly cared for, Saharsa's landscape would look very different today. Responsibility does not end merely with planting saplings; their protection until they mature is essential.
Disappointment Among Locals: Environmentalists and local citizens express deep resentment that while greenery thrives on government paper, only dry twigs and empty pits are visible on the ground.
This administrative negligence in the name of tree plantation drives in Saharsa district is deeply concerning. Simply creating schemes and recording figures on paper is not enough to save the environment. If the administration does not take stock of these failing initiatives in time and ensure the proper care of surviving plants along with new ones, the dream of improving environmental balance will remain confined strictly to paper.
