New capital to have more greenery

​ Amaravati: The Urban Greenery and Tourism Project have kicked off a plan to increase the greenery in the hills around the Amaravati city. A report submitted to the government by the tourism project proposed to develop five hills with lush-green plantations at several places in the capital region with a cost of Rs 7cr.

According to officials, the State government has taken up the greenery and beautification project and the surveys show that nearly 30 per cent of hills in the Vijayawada city limits are encroached. An official engaged in the survey told The Hans that the massive plantations to dot the hilly tracks and help bring down temperature by 3 degrees Celsius.

The study recommends the hills like Gunadala, Mogulrajapuram, Bhavanipuram, Durga temple, Kondapalli hills to add more green cover. Nearly 2000 to 3000 saplings which include Raavi, neem, and tellamaddi are suitable to be planted on the hilly areas. And it is proposed to construct overhead tanks by erecting pipeline from ground level to water the plants on a regular basis.

The Singapore planners identified the hills exclusively for greenery development. The hills in Guntur district near the capital region come under reserve forest. The remaining hills are identified to plant saplings as per the plan.

In fact, the green cover in the capital area spread over 25 kilometers falling under Krishna and Guntur districts is below 9 per cent over the national average of 33 per cent 25 kilometers around the Amaravati capital city.

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests clears the State government's proposal for improvising forest reserve to the extent of over 19,000 hectares. In the light of apprehensions over the reducing green cover and the prospects of capital turning to a concrete jungle, the government has embarked on a mission in promotion of greenery.

An official from forest department said a request has been made to the administration to clear encroachments enabling the green campaign to take off. The plan will be executed once the encroachments are removed, he added.