Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has reportedly expressed displeasure over about the work done by achievement of various departments in the implementation of the fourth phase of the mass afforestation drive ‘Telanganaku Haritha Haram, and has directed them to take up for department-wise ‘plantation days’to be taken up . Accordingly, instructions have been were issued to various departments allotting a ‘plantation day’ for each, starting from August 25 up to September 11.
A total of 25 departments have been cited for the plantation days, with individual targets of plantation for the whole season.
An official circular issued on August 25 mentioned that the planting progress achievements were not encouraging against the targets allotted to the respective departments, and it has been decided that each department should take up a plantation day at in their offices, fields or and other places concerned on the dates allotted, to reach complete the targets on time.
As per the information available with the Forest Department, only 13.79 crore saplings were planted as on August 27 by various departments, as against the total target of over 39 crore saplings, clocking a mere 35% progress.
Of the total 55 departments/agencies/wings listed, only the Forest Development Corporation (TSFDC), Singareni Collieries, Revenue Department, and district cooperative offices could achieve at least 50% of the assigned targets.
The TSFDC and Revenue Department achieved 91% and 89% of plantation target respectively.
The establishments such as defence, engineering, national highways, fire, tourism, town planning and polytechinic education are yet to begin the work.
Among the districts, Medchal has far exceeded the target at 107%, while Khammam and Jagtial have planted more than 90%. Sircilla, Yadadri, Jayashankar Bhupalapalli, Mahabubnagar, Jogulamba Gadwal, Karimnagar and Vikarabad, apart from HMDA, are yet to cross the 50% mark.
Officials from the department informed that the targets were fixed for September third week, and a few departments/districts were yet to catch up.
Inadequate rainfall
“In a few districts, rainfall was inadequate hindering them from taking up the plantation drive. Things have started picking up now,” an official said.
The circular from the Chief Minister’s Office fixed the plantation days for Education, Roads and Buildings, Irrigation, Agriculture, PR&RD, Revenue, MA&UD, Home, Environment, Forests & Science & Technology, Animal Husbandry, Industries, Mines & Geology, Energy, Health, Medical & Family Welfare Departments, all welfare departments, Tourism and Culture, Consumer Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies, Labour, Railways, and others.
