President discusses strategy for greening of Rashtrapati Nilayam

Hyderabad: President of India Ram Nath Kovind during his visit to Hyderabad discussed strategy for greening the Rashtrapati Nilayam area spread over 75 Acres with the forest department officials of Telangana.

Accordingly the plan was prepared and presented to the approval of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

The planning is made based on the following principles: Retaining the existing tree growth; Merging new themes of planting into existing ones; Landscape work merging with natural terrain; Gap areas with new themes of bio-diversity value and Educational as well as Aesthetic orientation

The plan is approved by the Rashtrapati Bhavan for implementation. During the visit of the President the greening program is initiated on 5th August, 2018. The following greenery development concepts are implemented so far:

Palmatum: 495 plants of 30 different species of palms are planted. It has bio-diversity value, and is a gene pool of 30 species and is of educative value for the visitors to know and learn about different types of palms at one place. A trail path is developed to walk in to it.

Rock Garden: An area with big boulders and rocks is developed as rock garden with cactus plants and other succulent species in combination with colour stones. The state animal the Chital and the national animal the Tiger statues are displayed in the area. The total plants planted are 1830. It has aesthetic value and educative value.

Gymnosperms Grove: Gymnosperms are naked seeded plants i.,e, plants without fruits. Four species Thuja, Cycas, Zamia and Cupresses are planted as a grove. It has aesthetic, educative value and bio-diversity value.

Trees of Telangana: The common forest tree species of Telangana state are planted in one part of Rashtrapati Nilayam area. It is an opportunity to see 21 forest tree species of Telangana at one place. Total 901 plants are planted.

Woods of Western Ghats: Few selected tree species of Western ghats suitable for Hyderabad climate are planted. For visitors it is a learning experience.

Vintage Trees: the most commercially valuable trees are planted as vintage tree grove. Total 550 plants of Sandal wood, Redsanders and Rosewood are planted here.

Sacred Grove: the venerated trees and tree parts used for worshipping are planted as sacred grove. Species planted are Usiri, Bilwa, Jammi, temple tree.

Neem Grove: Area with naturally existing Neem regeneration and is tended for proper growth. The gaps are planted with the Neem plants. Now it is a lush green Neem grove.

Butterfly Garden: A small area is developed in to a garden in butterfly shape. The concept of plantation is mini plants with many flowers to attract the butterflies. High aesthetic value and exciting for the children.

Avenues: There are existing Avenues like Peltophorum, Neem and Ficus, the gaps in these avenues are planted with same species. The three new avenues namely Spathodia, Bignonia and Mimusops are developed. In addition the shrub planting is also taken up in the interspacing of tree species. All along the walkway 60 cm lawn is developed between and avenue and road edge. It adds to the ambience improvement.

Rainbow Tree Park: The trees which flower profusely are planted in a shape of rainbow on all three directions of a triangular plot. About 13 species of 7 different colour flowers are planted. It has great aesthetic value. Total 737 plants are planted.

Flame of the Forest area: The naturally occurring trees and new regeneration of Butea monosperma is tended to develop in to a grove. These plants flower profusely in bright red colour and appear as flame in the forest.

Bambusetum: 75 plants of 28 species of bamboo are planted as grove. It is like a gene pool and is of biodiversity value and educative value as one get to see many species of bamboo at one place.

Lawn with Topiaries: The tree species which can be moulded in to different shapes are planted here to improve the ambience and aesthetics.

Other developmental works include Water Cascade; Tank Development; Nature classroom and Gazebo and Pagoda.

About 175 new species of plants are added to enrich the biodiversity value at Rashtrapathi Nilayam. The financial support is extended by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Rs 80 lakh released. The work is executed by the Forest Department Telangana are in progress.

The President inaugurated the water cascade, palmatum and Rock garden. He appreciated the efforts made by the forest department in greening the area and bring the complete transformation of landscape. The first lady, Savitha kovind, accompanied the President in the ceremony

P.K.Jha PCCF (HoFF), Ajay Mishra, Spl. Chief Secretary Forest, Raghuveer, PCCF (IT & Vigillance), Shobha APCCF and RM Dobriyal APCCF were present.

Earlier in the morning walk of the President, the executive team comprising of Dr. G. Chandrashekar Reddy APCCF Hyderabad, Sudhakar Reddy, DFO Medchal and Laxman, FRO shown the efforts made by the forest department in greening the Rashtrapati Nilayam.