HC shocked about Botanic upkeep, state blames Delhi

KOLKATA: The Calcutta high court on Wednesday expressed shock on coming to know that the Great Banyan at the Indian Botanic Garden in Sibpur could not be fenced as Rs 22,99,600 required for the work hasn't been released by the Centre since 2007. Estimated to be around 200-250-years old, this tree is considered the widest - in terms of the area occupied by its canopy - in the world.
The division bench headed by Chief Justice Arun Mishra also wanted to know from the central government pleader why adequate funds haven't been sanctioned for other pending work, including desilting and renovation of 24 lakes inside the garden premises. This is the case for a botanic garden that is considered the oldest and largest plant kingdom in South East Asia.
It was environment activist Subhas Datta who had brought the plight of the Botanic Garden to the notice of the high court. On February 19, 2013, the court had directed the garden authorities to furnish details of its receipts and expenses. The documents submitted revealed that the lakes couldn't be renovated as only Rs 25,00,000 of the estimated cost of Rs 5,76,97,000 has been sanctioned. The roads inside the garden could not be given a mastic top as Rs 2,32,56,300 required for this hasn't been sanctioned since 2009.
"The inter-linked lakes are man-made waterbodies connected to the Hooghly to help in watering the trees and draining waste water from the premises. Today, most of them are either dry or full of undergrowth and water hyacinth. There is huge disparity between the estimated costs and actual sanctions. Apart from the Great Banyan, there are other rare trees that need to be fenced. There are dead trees lying all around the garden," Datta told the court on Wednesday.
He also reminded the court of its orders against the flow of sewage water from the Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) area into the garden and the unauthorized construction all around. Datta pointed out that the court's directions haven't been complied with.
After hearing everything, the court expressed its disappointment and concern before directing the committee set up under the chairmanship of state government pleader Ashok Banerjee visit the Botanic Garden on June 28 and file a comprehensive report. The central government pleader was also directed to file an affidavit, explaining why funds haven't been sanctioned. The matter will come up for hearing again on July 18.