he Forest Department’s attempt to grow plants in degraded forest area amid the rocks is yielding positive results in Mellacheruvu mandal of Nalgonda district.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) also appreciated the efforts of the Forest Department during a visit to the place recently.
A team led by R.P. Sinha from IUCN lauded the efforts of the forest authorities. Mr. Sinha observed that it is a great move aimed at maintaining bio-diversity.
The department had planted over 1.5 lakh saplings in forest area spread over 184 hectares by fencing it to prevent the entry of domestic animals which had given very excellent results as the greenery attracted huge number of spotted deers, black bucks, peacocks and various other birds within an year.
Speaking to The Hindu , Divisional Forest Officer S. Satyanarayana said that the forest area near Mellachervu was totally degraded a year ago since it lacks any fencing around it. Since the area is also famous for limestone, the department officials were of the impression that there was no scope for growing plants. However, they took up massive plantation drive last September where over 90 per cent of plants had survived to every ones surprise.
Domestic animals like cows, buffaloes, goats and sheep used to eat the plants at very tender age earlier. After the fencing, these plants have started rejuvenating.
The department also witnessed regeneration of plants on their own. Mr. Satyanarayana also appointed four watchers to monitor the movement of wildlife and growth of plants.
Neem, Indian Elm, Arjun Tree, Anjan, Behera, Banyan, Peepal, Simha Ruba, Cluster Fig, Tamarind, Amla, Bijasal, Rosewood were planted as part of the initiative.
Due to lack of forest cover, Mr. Satyanarayana said monkeys are quite often making human habitation their homes, causing great hardship of people. Since of most of these plants are fruit bearing, he said that they forest cover would also attract monkeys.
The forest officials also see it as a great move at improving green cover in Nalgonda since the district has just 6 per cent of forest cover against the recommended 33 per cent.The DFO appreciated the efforts of Forest Range Officer Y. Srinivas, Section Officer Y. Shekar Reddy and Beat Officer S. Venkateshwarlu in improving the green cover in Mellacheruvu.
The massive plantation drive taken up last September gave amazing results
S. Satyanarayana
Divisional Forest Officer
