GHMC aims at planting 120 lakh saplings across Hyderabad

Hyderabad: To create more sustainable lung spaces in and around the city, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has come up with an ambitious action plan of increasing the green cover. As part of the State government’s flagship programme ”Telangana Ku Haritha Haram (TKHH) 2022” which is recognised by the United Nations as the third-largest […]

Hyderabad: To create more sustainable lung spaces in and around the city, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has come up with an ambitious action plan of increasing the green cover. As part of the State government’s flagship programme ”Telangana Ku Haritha Haram (TKHH) 2022” which is recognised by the United Nations as the third-largest effort for afforestation in the world, the civic body aims at dotting the city with lush greenery by planting 120 lakh saplings. According to the GHMC’s TKHH-2022 action plan, 860 km of avenue plantation will be taken up which will include 160 Multi-Layer Avenue Plantation (MLAP).

A total of 17.20 lakh plantation is proposed under avenue, median, and MLAP plantation all along the main roads GHMC officials said that based on the existing green lining along the road stretches, 4,200 km of avenue plantation will be taken up. These environment conservation measures are in addition to the plantations that will be taken up in 2,100 colonies. There are 4,846 residential colonies in GHMC limits and green development in 454 colonies has already been completed while works in 900 colonies is to be completed by end of December. The exercise to increase the green cover in the remaining 2,100 colonies will be taken up under GHMC’s TKHH 2022.

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As per the action plan, saplings will be planted along the roads and open spaces. Dense plantations will also be taken up in temples, existing parks, tree parks, institutions, playgrounds, crematoriums, graveyards and other areas that are feasible in and around colonies. Selected saplings will be planted in these residential localities in coordination with Resident Welfare Associations. The works in 2,100 colonies will commence in January 2022 and the plantation of 68.85 lakh saplings has been proposed. Meanwhile, at all the 185 lakes, saplings will be grown along their bund areas and buffer zones.

A total of 20.85 lakh plants will be grown at lakes under TKHH-2022 plan. The exercise to develop greenery along the water bodies was taken up after 2014 and the initiative so far covered 42 lakes including Durgam Cheruvu, Malkam Devuni Kunta, Mir Alam Tank, Khajaguda etc. Officials said plans were drawn up to cover the remaining lakes during the next year.

Under TKHH 2022, ward level nurseries are being grounded at 600 locations and 125 lakh plants are being raised including tall plants. The GHMC has also developed three Urban Forest parks and 3.70 lakh plants will be raised in these lung spaces.