Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 21: Officials conceive the dream of giving a touch of greenery to concrete roads by growing plants on the road dividers of concrete roads. Environmentalists promptly supported this initiative. But because of the lack of proper response and support from people, the plants have been devoured by domestic animals. This is the story of the afforestation efforts on road dividers at Ullal.

With the aim of beautifying Ullal city, the then municipal commissioner Vani Alva, had implemented certain schemes. She had put in a lot of efforts with the aim of ensuring that solid waste collected within the municipal limits is disposed fully and that Ullal should turn into a clean city. When the civic workers faced problems from the waste disposal contractors and waste disposal problems arose, she arranged to disburse their salary by the municipality. She also had instilled enthusiasm and interest among the civic workers by arranging health checks, payment of allowance, sports competitions and prizes.

After her transfer, Rayappa came here as the municipal commissioner. He too has been pursuing the dream of clean Ullal since the very beginning. In order to dispose of wet waste by the people themselves, he had given prominence to growing vegetables at their homes.

On behalf of the Dargah, saplings had been planted on vacant spots by the roadsides three years ago. During the road expansion, some of these plants had been uprooted. Concrete dividers were erected at the middle of the roads. The municipal commissioner arranged to place concrete pots on the dividers with plants in them in order to improve greenery in locality. Initially these plants grew well but as time passed, because of public neglect, the plants were eaten up by the domestic animals. Some of the plants have withered or dried up. In some cases, plants have gone missing and pots alone have remained.

Beach

As there is no proper system for the vehicles to dispose of waste within the city limit, seashore at Mogaveerapatna is being used for the same. This spot attracts tourists and the municipality is taking steps to make it attractive further. The processes of acquiring machines for converting wet waste into manure within 24 years are in force and the shops at the beach have been given a cleaner look.

Municipal commissioner Rayappa wants that wet waste and dry waste should be recycled and people should cooperate to turn Ullal into a beautiful city. He thanked those who have been sorting their waste. He said that there are plans to felicitate civic workers and vehicle drivers who work very well. Vice president of the municipality U P Ayub Manchila, said that it is planned to replace the soil of the concrete pots placed on the road dividers and grow plants which the animals do not eat. He sought support of everyone to realise the dream of a clean and beautiful Ullal and said that plans will be drawn to develop the beaches here.