Darjeeling, April 30 :     Pine trees are no longer a thing of beauty in the water-starved Darjeeling hills. Darjeeling?s disillusionment with the coniferous plant, introduced by the British, was evident on the concluding day of a week-long environment awareness programme organised by the Padmaja Naido Himalayan Zoological Park here today. The park is the country?s most well-known captive breeding centre of rare and endangered animals. Speaking at the function, Umesh Dwivedi, an expert on the Himalayan region, described pine trees as a threat to Darjeeling?s survival. He said: ?The unplanned plantation of pine trees has led to the drying up of water sources and land erosion.? Dwivedi, who also edits a popular environment journal, Himalayan Paryavaran, suggested that pine trees, locally known as dhupi, be replaced with indigenous trees like oak, which can retain water. He described dhupi as basically a commercial plant which does not allow undergrowths. According to Dwivedi, though the population of Darjeeling town has doubled over the years, the capacity of three lakes in the Sinchel area, built in 1910, 1932 and 1979, has remained the same. He also emphasised on the need for harnessing rain water which the region gets in plenty. Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council chairman Subhas Ghising, who spoke after Dwivedi, totally ignored the water problem and devoted his speech to what he described as the ?discovery of divine truth?. He spoke at length on the mythological kalpavriksha (wishing tree) and comets. Some time ago, the Gorkha national Liberation Front-run Darjeeling municipality had even demand declaration of the town as a drought-hit region following the disappearance of most potable water sources. Rationing of drinking water is currently on in all the three hill towns of Kurseong, Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Himalayan Zoological Park director D. Biswas said the awareness programme received terrific response from the people. Debates, quiz and essay contests for students were also held during the week-long programme.