Modern machines to help speed up civic body's tree plantation drive

AURANGABAD: The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is all set to purchase two modern machines to speed up the ongoing drive of planting 1.5 lakh saplings in the city. Vijay Patil, the AMC's garden superintendent, said on Monday the post hole digger machines would help the civic body plant more saplings in the season. "We have already placed the order for the machines, which will be in our possession in next two-three days," he said.

The civic body initiated the drive in the city from June 5 on the occasion of World Environmental Day and planted saplings in open spaces and road dividers.

Patil said the machines have a capacity to dig 400-500 holes every day for planting saplings. "It is a machine that can be mounted on tractors and operated by one person. Holes of various sizes can be dug up with ease, which will accelerate the process. At present, we are digging up holes manually that takes a lot of time. A single worker can dig only 15-20 holes in a day, which makes the target of planting 1.5 lakh saplings in the season quite impossible. With the help of these machines, we can now plant more than 1,000 saplings every day," he said.

"The AMC has planted around 17,000-18,000 saplings so far and we have nearly 120 days to achieve the set target," he said.

He said the civic body has planted 10,000 saplings on its own while various schools, colleges, NGOs and individuals helped in planting 7,000-8,000 saplings.

"The civic body would now tap the large area in Chikhalthana and plant about 25,000 saplings. We are also encouraging NGOs and entrepreneurs to participate in the drive," Patil said, adding, "Students of municipal schools are taking active part in the drive. Besides, we are also providing saplings to all the AMC-run hospitals, libraries and offices asking the concerned officers to plant saplings on their premises."

Manisha Choudhary, environmentalist and member of Deepshikha Foundation, said the AMC should not only focus on planting saplings but should also take efforts to make sure that they survive.