We need mega turn-cities-green drives rather than mere plantations

Another mega plantation drive in on, yet a visible result again is not that visible! The reason is that the same areas, outskirts, and locations as the previous plantation drives have been selected. Even the government departments and public/private institutions participating in the drive are using the same plots as before- at least we can easily presume that as they are neither denying nor able to clarify these claims (yes, it comes to the mind where the plants of previous drives have vanished, or how a plot that earlier had lush trees suddenly got barren days before the mega plantation drive)! Anyway, let us look at yet another aspect: Places where there is a greater need and scope for plantation- i.e., the main/inner city areas- have again been neglected like before. Where there are a majority of citizens dwell and need oxygen and shade, which is the urban spread, is where there should be maximum plantation. The roadside encroachments must be removed, slums ordered to clear up space for trees, and pavements and dividers actually de-concretised first and then made green. Interlinking pavements without the use of cement would also be a wise choice. Sadly, the plantation drive is given new slogans each year, but the same treatment- meetings, targets and just their fulfilment for the heck of it! No effort to use the brain to actually make a difference or turn the state/city green. A green city must emphasize sustainability, good air quality, low pollution, and accessible green spaces as important elements of urban development and promotion. The plantation drives should aim at that and not just filling up spaces with saplings that anyway hardly survive another year! The authorities are spinning the yarn when they claim of GI tags, satellite monitoring, this and that! The truth is that only a few percentage of saplings survive. Most die for lack of care, many are conveniently removed post such drives (mostly by private institutions and farmers), and others are removed the next year for another 'bout' of plantation! In the meantime, more and more large trees are felled for timber and 'development'. What is needed is an honest effort to turn concrete jungles into green ones. Instead of mega plantation drives, mega turn-city-green drives should now be taken up. And yes, planting fully grown trees instead of saplings should also be considered. Groups of enthusiasts gathered around a lame-looking sapling for the sake of photographs do not fool anyone now! Real work is done silently and the results tell the tale! Want an example? See, how quietly but quickly the remaining green covering, including local water bodies, around us is depleting and we come to know only after a multistory society takes its place! They may call it expansion, but for us… Now, that is called results telling the tale of actual work done clandestinely !