Third phase of massive plantation programme begins in Telangana

The third phase of 'Haritha Haram', the massive plantation programme taken up by Telangana government, began across the state on Wednesday.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao formally launched the third phase by planting the saplings at Lower Manair Dam in Karimnagar district.

State ministers and other public representatives and officials participated in the programme in all 31 districts of the state.

'Haritha Haram' was launched two years ago to plant and protect 230 crore saplings with the goal to increase the green cover in the state from 24 per cent to 33 per cent.

This year, the authorities have chalked out an action plan to plant 44 crore saplings. The Chief Minister said over the last two years, as many as 47.53 crore saplings were planted across the state.

In 2015, only 16.49 crore saplings were planted due to drought while last year, 32.61 crore saplings were planted.

In areas where saplings can't be planted, the authorities are implementing seed balls technology. They have also set a target of developing 24 forest areas adjoining Hyderabad and other towns as urban parks.

Officials said block plantation with 7 crore saplings was completed in the forest area. Programme was also taken up for revival of 2.40 lakh hectares of degraded forest.

Multiple row avenue plantation on both sides of the road for thousands of kilometres was also being taken up.

--IANS

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