Telangana ku Harita Haram

Source: http://forests.telangana.gov.in/Harithaharam/harithaharam.aspx

Goal

• National Forest Policy envisages to have a minimum of 33% of the total geographical area under forest / tree cover to maintain environmental stability and ecological balance which are vital for sustenance of all life-forms, human, animal and plants.
• In Telangana State, forest area is 25.16% of the total geographical area.
• The State Government has initiated a flagship programme, “Telangana Ku Haritha Haram” for taking massive afforestation activities to increase the green cover of the state to the desired level of 33% of the total geographical area.

Strategy

The goal of 33% tree cover, is sought to be achieved by:

1. Protecting and rejuvenating the existing forests.
2. Taking massive plantation programme outside forest areas under Social Forestry people's Movement.

Initiatives in Forest Areas

The major thrust in forest areas will be given to:

1. Forest Protection – against smuggling, fire, encroachment, grazing, poaching etc.
2. Afforestation – Raising plantation in blank and open forests.
3. Rejuvenating degraded forests by coppicing, singling and other silvicultural interventions.
4. Taking large scale Soil and Moisture Conservation works.
5. Encouraging plantation activities in RoFR areas.

Initiatives outside Forest Areas

The major thrust outside forest areas will be for raising:

1. Avenue plantation – Preferably in multiple rows – along the National and State Highways apart from Rural roads.
2. Institutional plantations – All government and private institutions to be covered.
3. Barren Hill afforestation.
4. Tank foreshore plantations.
5. River bank and rivulets plantations.
6. Homestead & Industrial areas.
7. Agro forestry – farmers should be encouraged to adopt various models of agro forestry for increased income levels and economic security.
8. Creation of Smrithi vanams.
9. Planting in Urban Residential colonies.

Action Plan for 3 years : Rs 800 Crores per Year Outlay:

• Target : 230 Crore plants
• Forest Areas : 100 Crore Plants
• Non Forest Areas: 120 Crore Plants
• HMDA : 10 Crore Plants
• (40 lakh Seedlings per Assembly Consitutency)

A detailed exercise for identification of nurseries and the sites available for raising plantations have been undertaken:

1. 3300 number of nurseries for raising 41.00 Crore (approx.) seedlings for 2015 planting has been identified in the state.
2. Nurseries will be raised by various agencies involved, Forest Department, DWMA, Agriculture, Horticulture, Tribal Welfare etc.
3. Further, action is being taken by the implementing agencies for procurement of polythene bags and seeds for grounding the nurseries.