Aimed at extending green cover from the existing 25.16 per cent to 30 per cent in coming three years, the Telangana Government is taking up an ambitious plan “Telangana Ku Haritha Haram”, a flagship program to plant 230 crore saplings in the State. Out of these, some 130 crore saplings are proposed to be planted outside the forest areas i.e. 10 crore within the HMDA area and 120 crore in the remaining area of the State. Another 100 crore plants will be rejuvenated by intensive protection of the forests and from the existing root stock in the forest areas.
According to a communique released by Chief Minister’s Office, the objective will be achieved through a multi-pronged approach of rejuvenating degraded forests, ensuring more effective protection of forests against smuggling, encroachment, fire, grazing and intensive soil and moisture conservation measures both inside and outside forest following the watershed approach.
As many as 3,699 nurseries were identified for raising adequate nursery stock in coordination with Forest Department, DWMA, Agriculture, Horticulture, Tribal Welfare and so on for achieving the target of raising seedlings at the rate of 40 lakh per Assembly constituency. A major fillip will be be given to Social Forestry by taking up massive plantation activities outside Forest areas. The Greening efforts will be taken up involving all stakeholders, the press release added. (NSS)
