BANGALORE: Come summer, the problem of water shortage poses a problem not only for the people but also for the plants in the sweltering environs of the city. If people are suffering due to heat and depleting water supplies, even the flora and fauna are adversly affected.
Just a walk across the main roads and pathways of the city, one can see dry, drooping, withered plants on footpaths and medians. BBMP officials said,“ Watering the plants by tankers is very difficult as the number of available tankers is very less. Due to this problem, many plants have withered in the city.”
Vinay Srinivas of ‘Hasiru Usiru’ said,“Once the BBMP plants the saplings, they should take care of it, otherwise they will retard or die. Although priority should be the needs of the people first, but places like malls and amusement parks can do without water when there is water shortage.”
Dr Meenakshi Barath, Swabhimaana Initiative, said “Saplings have been planted just for the sake of it. BBMP claims to have planted many saplings but proper care should be taken.”
She adds residents can be asked to water the plants near their homes. They should be educated benefitting them in the long run.