Staff crisis leaves green refuge open to vandals

howrah: the 214-year-old shibpur botanical gardens in howrah is reeling under a plethora of problems, lack of adequate infrastructure being the uppermost. an acute staff shortage has led to lack of maintenance and conservation of the garden’s more than 50,000 varieties of flora. with not enough security personnel (only 42), the botanical survey of india is having a tough time keeping intruders out.besides, the centre’s new downsizing policy, which came into effect from 1998, has caused an agitation in the bsi. “the number of securitymen has dwindled over the past few years, partly because of retirement and also due to abolition of casual labourers’ jobs,� said an official. “the law and order problem could have been sorted out, had the local thana outpost, situated within the garden, helped us,� said a senior bsi official. “though the outpost was supposed to provide 24 police guards daily, only three are available,� he added. the bsi has deputed a handful of guards at some of the garden’s major tourist attractions like the great banyan tree, green house, palm house and mixed chamber. moreover, the garden’s four gates have two gaurds each. but there are other glitches, too. the garden’s 27 water bodies are covered with weeds throughout the year. the garbage, littered indiscriminately on the sprawling premises, are not cleaned regularly. the boundary walls are crumbling, renovation is a distant dream and trespassers are having a field day. with little logistical support, dr gs giri, in-charge of the garden, pleads for co-operation from visitors to keep the garden clean, green and free from problems.