NEGLECT OF PLANTATION WITH ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN BIHAR—A WORRYING TREND

NEGLECT OF PLANTATION WITH ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN BIHAR—A WORRYING TREND

16-JUNE-ENG 12

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------There has been a significant progress in road construction works in the state of Bihar in the last few years. Under various schemes of the state government and the central government, construction of new roads and widening of old roads in rural and urban areas is being done at a rapid pace. This is a commendable step towards development, but a serious concern is also associated with it – gross neglect of plantation on the sides of the roads and dividers.

Today it is seen in many districts that the newly constructed roads are equipped with concrete and asphalt, but there is no trace of greenery on both their sides. In some places, dividers have been made, but neither plants have been planted on them nor any beautification has been done. This situation is extremely worrying not only from the point of view of visual beauty, but also from the point of view of environment, social and security.

Planting trees on the roadside and dividers is not only done to enhance beauty, but it is also necessary to control dust and pollution, increase the availability of oxygen, and reduce the temperature of the roadside. When these plants are not planted, the roads absorb more heat, which increases the heat in the atmosphere and people have to face health problems.

Due to lack of greenery on the divider, the headlights of the vehicles coming from the front fall directly on the eyes, which increases the chances of accidents. Many researches have proved that rows of dense bushes or trees on the divider reduce the chances of accidents by blocking the light coming from the front.

According to the guideline of the Government of India and the Ministry of Road Transport, it is mandatory to plant trees along every newly constructed road. A budget is also set for this, but it is often seen that construction agencies or contractors focus only on road construction and ignore plantation. This makes it clear that lack of monitoring and accountability is at the root of this problem. Steps towards solution: 1. Construction agencies should be made responsible to include plantation work in the mandatory conditions of road construction. 2. Mass plantation campaigns should be run with the participation of local bodies, forest department and social organizations. 3. Clear information about the status of plantation should be sought in the review report of road construction works. 4. Local people should be activated in this subject by spreading public awareness.

Roads are not only a symbol of development, but they should also be a symbol of balance with the environment and society. It is necessary to have greenery along the road so that we can ensure a beautiful, safe and clean environment. If today we remain careless in this direction, then the coming generations will have to face only the scorching concrete roads.

Now the time has come that the government, administration, public representatives and the general public should take this issue seriously and make "greenery along every road" the identity of Bihar.