The Forest Department has resurrected a long-pending proposal to develop a tree park at Navalur here by roping in the Hubballi-Dharwad Bus Rapid Transit System Company (HDBRTSC). The HDBRTS has funded the first phase of plantation on 10 hectares on a hillock in nearby the Navalur lake, which is a habitat of migratory birds.
Divisional Forest Officer Sabakath Hussain said the proposal to develop a tree park on 59 hectares of land was rejected by the Chief Conservator of Forests as it was not meeting some of the parameters. Besides, earlier attempts to take up afforestation in the area failed due to several factors. Therefore, it was decided to take up the project in phases.
For the first phase, the HDBRTSC has provided Rs. 20 lakh and also agreed for maintenance for next three years.
Plantation in 10 more hectares would be taken up under the Nagaravana scheme. Nearly 15 hectares would be allowed for the local farmer’s use, he said.
HDBRTSC managing director Deepa Cholan said that the HDBRTSC supported the Forest Department under its programme to compensate the loss of greenery due to the falling of 3,994 trees along the Hubballi-Dharwad road for BRTS project. “As it is a World Bank-funded project, the Ministry of Environment and Forests guidelines make it mandatory to compensate the loss of greenery. As many as 8,400 saplings will be planted at Navalur. Plantation works will begin immediately after the commencement of monsoon, which is expected to hit in June.
The HDBRTSC has planted 8,000 saplings on the premises of the schools and different organisations during 2013-14 and 4,000 during 2014-15 and 1,800 during 2015-16,” he said.
‘As many as 8,400 saplings will be planted at Navalur immediately after the monsoon starts’
