District Collector Yogitha Rana asked the authorities to make arrangements for planting two crore saplings and protect every sapling planted in the coming year.
At a review meeting with forest and rural development officers, she suggested to them to ensure supply of 1.20 crore teak and 80 lakh fruit-bearing saplings.
She instructed them to submit a report on the demand for plants to be planted in schools and colleges and on empty government land. She also wanted them to complete geo-tagging of plants.
Dr. Rana instructed the officials to plant the new saplings in the place where the old ones have dried up. Steps should also be taken to water the plants regularly, especially in April and May, and if there is water scarcity, farm ponds should be dug up with the help of the Fire Services Department. Fencing should be arranged for the plants to be planted next year, she said.
“If there are 50 plants in a school, the responsibility of their protection falls on the watchman for which Rs. 5 each for a plant will be paid under the MNAREGA scheme. If there are over 400 saplings, a caretaker must be appointed,” the Collector said.
DRDA Project Director Venkateswarlu, DFO Prasad and officers from Municipal, Education, Forest and Agriculture Departments were present in the meeting.
If saplings are planted
in schools, the responsibility of their protection falls on the watchman for which
Rs. 5 each for a sapling will be paid under MNAREGA scheme
- Yogitha Rana
District Collector
