environment - Romania
Bucharest, planting the way to a greener city
Friday 14 November 2008
Almost two decades after the fall of communism, Bucharest is determined to recover its former glory. For the Romanian capital's city hall, encouraging newlyweds to plant trees is a good way to get there.
Friday 14 November 2008
By Mirel BRAN (text)
Getting married is supposed to be a moment for joy and serenity. But lately in Romania it has become an uncertain gamble.
In order to get their marriage certificate, new couples will have to prove they have planted a tree. Staff in the city hall in Bucharest has been persuaded this is a good way of building a greener city.
Deputy Mayor Robert Ionesco was the first to make the project public. “Everyone in their lifetime is expected to build a house, plant a tree and have a child," he said. "Building a house is difficult and bringing a child into this world is even more difficult. The least young couples who get married could do then is plant a tree.”
The mayor’s view is not entirely shared by those he is targeting. Yet, calls for cleaner air are mounting.
“Since the fall of the communism, 19 years ago, the green spaces in Bucharest have been halved,” explains Nicusor Dan, president of the ‘Save Bucharest’ association.
The Romanian capital is still looking to recapture its former glory. Until then, it seems young couples have an important mission ahead.
26/11/2008 16:37:09 Alert a moderator
Romania
By Anonyme - USA
I can see married couples buying a house and having kids,but plant a tree just to get married.Thats a little uncalled for.If the mayor wants to have cleaner air and stuff like that why don't he get the people that love the earth to do it.I don't know if they have an earth day but they can have one.People may just come out to help if they have one.I don't think it is right to have couples that are geting married to prove they planted a tree.Don't they have enough to worry about.