Nizamabad: The officials in Nizamabad district are gearing up to retain the first place in the state in the implementation of the Telanganaku Haritha Haram programme. Last year, the district stood in the first place for successful implementation of the green initiative.
For the third phase of Haritha Haram programme, the district set a target to plant 1.85 crore saplings. The forest department is conducting a series of awareness programmes for the officials, elected representatives and others to ensure successful plantation of saplings.
To improve the survival rate, which is at 69 per cent now, to more than 90 per cent, the officials announced initiatives like Rs 18.75 towards digging the pit and Rs 3.63 paise for planting each sapling in the district. For protection of each sapling, '5 will be paid per month. To engage water tankers, the hire charges will be paid.
Agriculture minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy suggested that fruits saplings be grown in forest areas as it would help monkeys return to the forests from residential areas. He also directed the urban and rural local bodies to give preference to avenue plantations on highways and other main roads.
