MOTHER NATURE Mother Nature September 2017 | Page 10

Mother Nature Aug /Sep 2017
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All the way to a Green Future....Hatitha Haram
A dream CM KCR wishes to fulfill
The Haritha Haram project, to improve green cover in the state from the existing 24 per cent to 33 per cent, was
launched in 2015. In the first phase, 15.86 crore saplings were planted across the state in 2015-16. Another
31.67 crore saplings were planted in the second phase in 2016-17. The government has set itself a target to
plant 40 crore saplings across the state as part of the third phase of Haritha Haram. The government has spent
Rs 1,645 crore on Haritha Haram so far .
As a part of Haritha Haaram, ‘Green Week’ will be observed every month with people’s participation to protect
the environment and there by save the planet. Our Honorable Chief Minister wanted all the officials to rejuvenate
the existing forest coverage by taking up this initiative which will reap loads of fortune for the next generations.
This initiative was welcomed with lot of appreciation and accolades not only from the State but also from the
entire nation and spoke volumes about the commitment and dedication to conserve the resources to a larger
extent by people worldwide.
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 geographi-
cal area.
Strategy
The goal of 33% tree cover, is sought to be achieved by
Protecting and rejuvenating the existing forests,
Taking massive plantation programme outside forest a reas
under Social Forestry – peoples’ Movement
Initiatives in
Forest Areas
The major thrust on-
Forest Protection – against smuggling, fire,
encroachment, grazing, poaching etc.
Afforestation – Raising plantation in blank
and open forests.
Rejuvenating degraded forests by coppicing,
singling and other silvicultural interventions.
Taking large scale Soil and Moisture
Conservation works.
Encouraging plantation activities in RoFR
areas.
Initiatives Outside
Forest Areas
The major thrust for raising
Avenue plantation – Preferably in multiple
rows – along the National and State
Highways apart from Rural roads.
Institutional plantations – All government and private
institutions to be covered.
Barren Hill afforestation. Tank foreshore plantations.
River bank and rivulets plantations.
Homestead & Industrial areas.
Agro forestry – farmers should be encouraged to
adopt various models of agro forestry for increased
income levels and economic security.
Creation of Smrithi vanams.
Planting in Urban Residential colonies.