Lucknow set for a greener look

LUCKNOW: Come July and the city is set to get greener. The Lucknow Municipal Corporation in association with Sahara India Parivar will plant four lakh saplings in the city. Mayor Dinesh Sharma said, "The city has borne the brunt of deforestation in the past few years. Compensating for the loss was a big challenge before the LMC given the shortage of funds. Roping in business houses may help."Claiming that the survival rate of saplings planted last year was 80 per cent, mayor said the focus of this year's drive would be more on distribution rather than plantation. Sahara India deputy director Kum kum Roy Chowdhury said, "Twenty five varieties of plants including Ashok, peepal, bargad, neem, kadamb will be provided to those who care for the earth."

"We would be providing free saplings to individuals and groups after taking their details and they may plant it anywhere they want," he said. The saplings would be available at LMC zonal offices and 21 offices of Sahara India.

Meanwhile, officials said the route of Paryavaran Jagrukta (environment awareness) rally has been changed. Now, it will start from Sahara India Tower in Kapoorthala and culminate at IT College where a programme will be held.