In a significant move to restore Kolkata's green cover, officials from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) parks department have instructed a private agency to accelerate the process of planting trees at McPherson Square. This directive comes in the wake of a Calcutta High Court order requiring the civic body to file an affidavit detailing the loss of greenery at the park located at the Theatre Road-Loudon Street crossing.
Court Directive Spurs Re-Greening Effort
The agency, which was entrusted with beautifying the historic park, has now been tasked with a compensatory plantation drive. According to the plan, the firm must plant 50 large trees alongside several smaller ones. This initiative is specifically designed to offset the environmental damage caused by the illegal cutting of trees within the park premises. A senior civic official confirmed that a report on this re-greening initiative is being prepared, emphasizing that the planting must be expedited before the core beautification work begins.
Controversy and Denials Over Tree Felling
The project has been mired in controversy since it was discovered that trees were cut down without proper authorization. The KMC had earlier issued a show-cause notice to the agency for this unauthorized action. While the agency's scope of work included park improvements, civic officials clarified that no permission was sought or granted to axe any trees. The agency, however, has denied allegations of unauthorized hacking.
A representative from the private agency overseeing the plantation stated their focus is now on moving forward. "We want to move past the allegations to focus on re-greening the park with various species," the representative said, claiming they have already planted around two dozen young trees expected to grow 30-40 feet tall. They projected that upon completion by January 15, the park would become one of the city's greenest and best.
Close Monitoring and Specific Demands
Responding to outcries from local residents and environmental activists, the KMC has mandated the designing and implementing company to ensure adequate compensation for the lost greenery. Officials have given specific instructions: the company must plant around two dozen big trees that are 7-8 feet tall—not mere saplings—to ensure a higher survival rate. Furthermore, after the walkway construction is finished, smaller trees and shrubs must be planted alongside it, and grey patches must be re-sodded with grass. The KMC has pledged to closely monitor all work at the park.
The civic body faced criticism for its apparent lack of awareness while trees were being felled and large park areas were being concretized. Environmentalists and citizens alike argued that the KMC cannot abdicate its fundamental responsibility of safeguarding the city's green wealth. This incident has sparked a broader conversation about urban development and ecological preservation in Kolkata.
