The Social Forestry administration of Chittoor district is gearing up for the 67th Vana Mahotsavam-2016, scheduled in July, with an ambitious target to plant 64 lakh saplings, including premier timber species of red sanders, teak and mahogany. District Collector Siddarth Jain held a series of meetings with forest officials to keep all the 122 nurseries ready for the distribution of saplings to all government departments, schools, colleges, universities and private establishments as well.
Divisional Forest Officer (Social Forestry - Chittoor district), G. Srinivasulu, told The Hindu on Thursday that the aim of Vana Mahotsavam was to increase forest cover from the present 31 per cent to 33 per cent as per the directions of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The event will cover all the 66 mandals, with planting saplings of teak, alla neredu, chinta, gulmohar, usiri, neem, mahogany, jama, danimma, nidra ganneru and other plant species.
“Raising of plants of these varieties is a costly affair and it’s a big opportunity to the general public to avail themselves of the opportunity of planting them in their residential premises with small price, ranging from Re. 1 to Rs. 15. For farmers and schools, the distribution will be absolutely free,” Mr. Srinivasulu said.
The official urged the farmers to visit the Mandal Parishad Development Officers of their respective mandals, and take permission to obtain free saplings at one hundred per each farmer. “Top priority is given to farmers, as they play a key role in protecting the forest cover in fringe villages,” he said.
Mr. Srinivasulu said that the event would see planting of saplings along the Panchayat Raj roads to an extent of 300 km., and to an extent of 125 km. along the National Highways. Other important zones selected were hospitals, he said.
Competitions for
schoolchildren
The DFO said as per the directions of the Collector, elocution, essay writing and painting competitions would be held for schoolchildren, and the meritorious would be given prizes. Schools, villages and community groups would also be selected for the awards. Based on the student-number of tress planted ratio, excursions would be conducted for students covering the SV Zoo Park, Science Centre and Biotrim Complex in Tirupati.
“If you like the shade, love the tree. It is our motto for Vana Mahotsavam. With the help of nature lovers and teachers, we have also prepared 27 slogans for public awareness on tree plantation. This is a serious programme as we are going to set up surveillance teams to study the project,” Mr. Srinivasulu said.
