Just 100 saplings planted during Vanmahotsav

Mumbai: Mumbai has seen the plantation of a mere 100 saplings during the last five days of Vanmahotsav, as per the real-time data provided by the forest department. The Maharashtra forest department kickstarted Vanmahotsav on July 1. However, forest officials stated that Mumbai city has seen the plantation of around 1,455 trees, but it is not being reflected online. Meanwhile, the Mumbai suburban area has witnessed plantation of 1,55,744 trees and Thane district has planted 8,99,404 saplings.

The forest department has dug 320 pits at eight sites of Mumbai city, while 1,76,254 pits have been dug at 21 sites of Mumbai suburban area.

“The garden department of BMC has around 25,000 saplings in stock. We have already planted 1,455 saplings, however it is not registered online,” said Makarand Ghodke, assistant conservator of forest. Mumbai city has achieved only 5.77 per cent of plantation against the target for non-forest department. Meanwhile, in Mumbai suburban area, the plantation has achieved 99.34 per cent against the target.

A total of 23,736,813 saplings have been planted in July. Nanded planted 3,401,220 saplings. Maharashtra has set a target of planting 13 crore saplings for this year.