This directorate needs better environment
The environment directorate issues clearances to buildings, industries and offices. But its campus apparently hardly has anything that can ensure a conducive environment for its employees and those living nearby
The boundary walls of this office are ‘home’ for garbage of the area. The signboard outside is rusted and the writing on it has nearly faded, making it hard for the visitors to guess that it is the Directorate of Environment, Uttar Pradesh.
With heaps of garbage dumped along its boundary wall and the unkempt lawns within the premises, the office is busy giving environment clearances to buildings, industries and offices.
Being headed by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav - an expert on environment himself, the state’s environment directorate at Vineet Khand, Gomti Nagar hardly has anything that would ensure a conducive environment for the employees and those living nearby.
The directorate is running sans a full-time director for more than six months now. The director retired around March-April and ever since the position is being held by an employee holding additional charge. Loaded with work of allowing clearances to all big establishments - both commercial and residential - being constructed in the state, the office faces an acute staff crunch.
There are only about four officers and about a handful other staff members who are handling the numerous formalities regarding clearances and other environment related initiatives, said sources at the office. The same office is also handling clearances relating to mining, added sources.
A laboratory that was proposed here years ago is yet to take its final shape. There is no equipment and no dedicated staff to look into the affairs of the laboratory. The budget for the laboratory was proposed for this financial year and part of it has been sanctioned, said sources.
Boasting of promoting environment-friendly initiatives, the office has not even maintained its lawns for a long time. The grass has not been trimmed and the ponds are either fungus filled or have been left dry.