Wanaparthy targets to plant 76 lakh saplings in HH 4th phase

Wanaparthy: The Wanaparthy district, which is catching up fast pace of development in irrigation, roads and building infrastructure, education and grounding of welfare schemes etc, has now set out to show the same pace and enthusiasm in making the fourth phase of Haritha Haram a grand success. As part of it, the district administration has set a target of planting 76.50 lakh plants in the upcoming Haritha Haram programme, to be launched in June-July this year.

Preparing ground for the launch of gigantic plantation programme, the district administration has already set up more than 70 nurseries across all 14 mandals in the district some six months ago. “With an aim to carry out at least 40,000 plants in every village, we have set a target of planting more than 76 lakh plants in the district during the fourth phase of Haritha Haram and to achieve this in a stipulated time frame, we have roped in various departments like Forest, District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and also sought the help of various social organisations,” informed Prakash, District convenor of Haritha Haram, Wanaparthy.

Earlier, the district administration which had procured the seed for growing saplings had distributed to all the major nurseries in 14 mandals and instructed the nursery owners to make available the plants by the beginning of Haritha Haram programme. Distributing the target among the Forest and DRDA, the district officials have decided to sow 49 lakh plants through Forest department, while another 28 lakh through DRDA authorities.

Earlier, during the first and second phase of Haritha Haram programmes, around 81 lakh saplings were targeted. However, only 71 per cent of plants were available. As a result, the district could not achieve the set target during the two phases. However, the district administration could complete the entire target only in the third phase.

Keeping in view the earlier problems during the first and second phase programmes, the district administration is now moving with a strategic planning to achieve the set target in the fourth phase and make the district a green belt.

As part of fourth phase of Haritha Haram programme plan, each panchayat would be given a target of planting at least 30,000 plants in its limits. The responsibility to protect the plants has been handed over to the Forest department and DRDA. The Forest department has already mobilised resources to grow more than 64 lakh saplings in 39 nurseries across 14 mandals, while the DRDA has set a target of growing 12 lakh plant saplings in another 31 nurseries across the district.