HMDA develops 16 urban forest blocks in two years

Hyderabad: Various initiatives adopted by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) at the conservation of the environment have started to translate as a role model in the State. Not restricting to planning infrastructure and development in its jurisdiction spread over seven districts, the HMDA has been actively engaged in spreading the green cover and also […]

Hyderabad: Various initiatives adopted by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) at the conservation of the environment have started to translate as a role model in the State.

Not restricting to planning infrastructure and development in its jurisdiction spread over seven districts, the HMDA has been actively engaged in spreading the green cover and also supporting the municipalities and municipal corporations in the endeavour.

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Following the instructions of Chief Minister, K Chandrashekhar Rao, a total of 16 urban reserve forest blocks that include eight in Rangareddy district, three each in Yadadri and Medak, have been developed. In the last two years under the supervision of Metropolitan Commissioner, Arvind Kumar, the urban reserve forest blocks have been developed by the urban forestry and engineering wing officials and staff with over Rs 93 crore. The Amberpet Kalan urban forest block was inaugurated a few months back by the MA&UD Minister, KT Rama Rao.

In these lung spaces that are spread over 14,708.24 acres, over 25 lakh plants were also raised. In addition to the greenery, walkways were developed and several amenities for visitors were also made available.

Also, for the State government’s flagship ‘Telanganaku Haritha Haaram’ project, the HMDA has grown saplings in large numbers and handed them over for plantation along the peripheries of Hyderabad. Massive afforestation was also taken up to increase the green cover at Osmania University campus.

There are109 urban forest parks (59 within HMDA and 50 outside HMDA limits) being developed in the State. Out of them, the 16 selected parks located in Ranga Reddy, Yadadri, Medak, Medchal and Sangareddy were handed over for development to HMDA.

These parks besides providing the required lung spaces to the cities and towns are also contributing in the growth of sustainable cities. These parks also provided protection to the forest land besides recreational facilities.

115 officials will visit Haritha Vanams on Dec 21

The best practices adopted by the HMDA in developing the urban reserve forest blocks have impressed the senior officials of Telangana Forest Department.

The Forest Department is contemplating the development of Haritha Vanams in the districts on the lines of the development taken up in urban reserve forest blocks. As part of this, a team of 115 officials will be visiting and studying them on December 21 and 23.

The HMDA in a press release said the team will visit these developed blocks in Jalapur, Bibinagar of Yadadri district.

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