The BMC by itself annually plants nearly one lakh trees. Now it has set itself a target of merely 14,950 trees per year, because the budgetary allocation for tree plantation has plummeted from Rs 15 crores in 1997-98 to Rs 6.50 crores for 1998-99. In the new ``Grow More Trees Campaign,'' one lakh saplings will be distributed at a nominal rate of Re 1 per plant to schools, colleges, factories, housing societies and individuals for plantation.

The Civic Markets and Gardens committee chairman Rajesh Sharma said the responsibility of maintenance was also being placed on the buyers. ``Only the trees that are grown near the main roads will be looked after and watered by BMC. Those in bylanes and societies will be looked after by residents.'' The plants can be acquired at nurseries of the 23 municipal wards across the metropolisor from the main nursery at Jijamata Udyan, Byculla. Only trees which grow vertically and can give shade and flowers will be distributed.