RMC records 92% sapling survival rate under NCAP drive

Ranchi: The horticulture wing of Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has recorded a 92% survival rate of saplings under its plantation drive launched as part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), aimed at expanding the city’s green cover and improving ambient air quality.

Launched in June last year, RMC planted nearly 10,000 saplings so far.Officials described the outcome as encouraging for environmental goals, highlighting that the initiative combines large-scale plantation with regular maintenance and replacement of dead saplings. Fruit-bearing, shade and avenue trees have been planted across the city under the project.“The ongoing plantation drive will ensure cleaner air for the city and will act as a carbon sink at micro level.

RMC will ensure minimum mortality of the plants,” municipal commissioner Sushant Gaurav said.The NCAP-funded initiative is estimated to cost around Rs 3 crore and is planned over a four-year period. The horticulture wing undertakes watering, weeding, nutrient management and replacement of saplings at all plantation sites. “There is a plan to scale it up. Sites are being identified. Once finalised, it will be announced,” Gaurav said.

Fruit tree plantation drive has been undertaken at Dipatoli, where 5,500 saplings of mango, jamun, guava, among others, were planted to attract birds. Other sites included a school in Jagannathpur, where 15 mango saplings were planted; Morhabadi MTS Park (1,500 mango saplings); graveyard in Dhurwa (828); high court boundary wall area (1,117 plants); Vidhan Sabha market (48); smart city (1,203); and the NIFT campus (393).