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The much-awaited Arogya Bana in Jeypore was inaugurated with much fanfare by the forest department with a variety of medicinal plants and fruit orchids in July 2020. Four years later, the Arogya Bana is now ailing owing to alleged neglect.
As per reports, over 4,000 medicinal and fruit-bearing plants were planted in the Arogya Bana in 10 acres of land. However, the Arogya Bana is now crying for urgent attention and it is alleged that scores of medicinal plants have died while others have been burnt due to lack of proper maintenance and care.
Surabhi Pani, a local resident said, “The Odisha government had started this project in 2020. Though a lot of work was done, the entire project has lost its existence due to lack of staff and maintenance.”
Sudhanshucharan Das Choudhry, another resident said, “The project was executed on 10 acres of land and it the forest department officials and other staff are to be blamed for the failure of the project.”
Responding to the allegations, Ranger of Jeypore forest range, Sachidanana Parida said, “A variety of medicinal plants were planted and we had kept watch and maintained the area till funds were provided by the state government. The period is now over.”
Parida further informed that a watcher has been deployed for maintenance of the area recently.
- Reported by:
- T GOURISHANKAR
