Vertiver-tiller saplings planted to contain Mangzing slide

GANGTOK, 15 July: Plantation of Vertiver tiller (saplings) was initiated under MGNREGA at the Mangzing slide under Yangang BAC today. The programme was formally launched by the area MLA, the RMDD Minister, CB Karki, after offering prayers for the safety of all workers and the success of the project. The project began with the plantation of a Vertiver tiller saplings, informs a press release.
Vertiver is internationally acclaimed for its success in containing landslides. As per standard specification 10 saplings per metre have to be planted to get the desired result. Mangzing slide has been causing a lot of hardship for the locals. Keeping in view the success of Vertiver plants in containing landslides in other Northeastern states it was decided to start the plantation at Mangzing slide this year, the release informs.
Total area affected by the slide is about 20 hectares and plantation will be carried out in 6 hectares this season on a trial basis which will be up-scaled to the whole area next season keeping in tune with the success of the present endeavour.

Technical assistance for the project has been extended by Guwahati based Beacon Environmental Technologies Solution (BETS) and has been certified by The Vertiver Network International (TVNI). Two technical personnel from BETS have been stationed at the project site till the plantation is over, the release further informs.
The work has been taken up under MGNREGA and at present 90 job card holders of Lower and Upper Mangzing wards of Niya Mangzing GPU have started working from today. The number of workers is likely to increase in the next few days.
The programme was addressed by the chief guest Mr Karki, and BDO Yangang, Mahesh Sharma, and attended by AE, Panchayat Inspector, APO from Yangang BAC, local Panchayats and workers.