25 lakh saplings to be planted in the Hyderabad

The effort is to increase the green cover up to 20 per cent

In a bid to improve the green cover under the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits, the civic body would be taking up a massive plantation programme. 25 lakh saplings would be planted this year. The decision was taken in a high level meeting on Monday.

The saplings would be planted in open spaces, 1,500 graveyards, bunds of 169 water bodies, universities, factories and on the 380 km roads that are being beautified. GHMC Commissioner and Special Officer Somesh Kumar informed that nurseries would be set up in the 18 major parks under the civic body and a horticultural expert would provide technical expertise to people who want to plant trees and take up gardening in colonies and parks.

Plants that grow fast would be selected and the open spaces in graveyards would be utilized. Some graveyards are spread over 15 acres. The graveyards in the city are in 3-15 acres. The GHMC Commissioner stated that it was not just the duty of the corporation but the onus lied on all citizens, Residential Welfare Associations (RWAs) and Non Government Organisations to join hands and green the city.

Trees would also be planted on either side of the roads and the trees that cause obstruction would be translocated. The GHMC would be spending Rs 1,500 per sapling. The green cover in Hyderabad is about 8 per cent and is among the lowest in the country. Delhi has about 20 per cent green cover, Chandigarh has 15 per cent and Gandhinagar has 40 per cent green cover. Priyanka Varghese, Officer on Special Duty at the Chief Minister’s office, director, Urban Forestry, senior officers of GHMC, Horticultural Department and environmentalists took part in the meeting.