NAGPUR: The loss of greenery over the years has already robbed Nagpur of its status as the second-most greenest city in the country.
Now, its 28th rank in Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan, launched by Maharashtra government’s environment and climate change department, comes as a rude shock.
And the score — 130 marks out of 1,500 — presents a dismal picture for Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).
The city was among 395 urban local bodies (including 28 AMRUT cities) and 304 panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) to participate in Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan competition launched last October and the result was declared on June 5.
Thane top scored with 1,127, followed by Navi Mumbai 976 and Greater Mumbai 950.
The initiative launched by state minister Aaditya Thackeray focuses on identifying potential action points under five basic elements of nature (panch mahabhuta) to improve environment for the cities.
Though the result was declared on June 5 on website https://abhiyanmis.majhivasundhara.in, the NMC apparently tried to hush up its poor performance, sources said.
Even the civic body’s environment engineering department did not reveal the score obtained under different categories as it fared very poorly, sources added.
The state government had set 400 marks under water category, earth 600 marks, air 100, energy 100 and enhancement 300 marks.
Criteria for markings was included for number of trees planted in the city, newly created green areas, percentage of solid waste collected, segregated and scientifically treated, air quality monitoring, greening roadside areas, promotion of public transport, rainwater harvesting among others.
In most areas, the civic body’s performance was poor, said sources.
The environmental engineering department could not reveal where the civic body secured less marks.
A senior official from the department claimed it has yet not received the marks it scored in the competition.
“The state has only declared the score,” the official claimed.
Sources, however, pointed out that being a first year of the competition, the NMC was caught unawares about the criteria.
Hence the poor performance, added the source.
Admitting city’s poor performance, municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B said it is an important Abhiyan for the city.
“NMC will ensure that in the days to come, we will definitely improve our ranking.
Serious efforts will be put in during next surveys so that city secures better position in environment competitions too,” he said.
Green activist Shrikant Deshpande expressed concern over the city’s poor performance and said it will slip further in future competitions.
Citing example of study carried out by Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), Nagpur city has lost 40% of green cover in the last 20 years.
“Even the condition of lakes in the city is deteriorating.
Barring three lakes — Sonegaon, Futala and Ambazari — all other lakes have reportedly turned into ponds with rampant encroachments in their catchment areas,” he said.
According to Deshpande, Nagpurians should elect those leaders whose slogan should be “Jo paryavaran ki baat karega…
woh desh pe raj karega (those who would protect the environment, would rule the country).” Green Cities in Maharashtra Cities—Score—Ranking Thane—1127 | 1 Navi Mumbai—976 | 2 Greater Mumbai—950 | 3 Chandrapur—788 | 8 Amravati—267 | 21 Akola—139 | 27 Nagpur—130 | 28 Times View For a city that once prided itself as second greenest in the country, to be 28th in Maharashtra is a matter of immense shame.
It should also be a matter of worry.
The last few years have seen trees being felled with reckless abandon as the city chased its ‘development’ dream.
Just see how authorities are steamrollering the opposition to mass felling for Ajni IMS.
While jury remains out on whether such projects are doing any economic good to the city, the ecological harm is already evident.
About time we said no to them and made clean air and water our top priorities.