Tree Politics: Damodar Rout plants saplings in Jhinkargadi Forest

ONI Bureau: The proposed brewery factory in Balarampur village in Dhenkanal district has been scrapped by CM Naveen Patnaik. But, over 500 trees were felled and that’s the biggest pain in this entire saga. The RDC has proposed massive tree plantation in the area to compensate for the loss. But, is it easy? It will take at least 30 years to grow the trees to the position they were when cut for the beer factory.

The political atmosphere has been charged up over this issue on the expected lines. Leaders and political parties do not want to let this opportunity go. And, BJD is planning a counter to build public perception on this matter. It was the turn of expelled BJD leader Dr. Damodar Rout who went to Balarampur today and planted some saplings in Jhinkargadi forest. He not only called the Government “blind”, but also blamed a senior IAS officer for this mess.

On the other hand, there are attempts to hail the Chief Minister for stopping the cutting of trees and cancelling the project although the damage was already done. Over 200 people from Dhenkanal District are coming to Naveen Niwas tomorrow to meet the Chief Minister and thank him! Fair enough in politics, it seems.

The next few days would be hectic for politicians. While the ruling party would be busy building CM’s image and may even go aggressive with a plantation drive, his rival politicians would keep planting saplings at the site where trees were felled. But, we don’t know whose saplings would survive.