Four districts in State to get high-tech nurseries

World Bank sanctions ₹68 crore for the first-of-its-kind project in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and East Godavari districts

The Forest Department is planning to develop four high-tech nurseries, one each in the districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and East Godavari under the World-Bank-funded AP Disaster Recovery Project (APDRP). This will be the first of its kind initiative in the State.

Additionally, 40 nurseries will be developed in the four coastal districts within the next one year under APDRP. The World Bank has sanctioned ₹68 crore for livelihood projects under APDRP aimed at enhancing livelihoods of communities affected by Cyclone Hudhud in the State.

A meeting between the Forest Department and a 11-member World Bank team on visit to the city to review the progress of projects was held on Tuesday.

Speaking to

The Hindu , Chief Conservator of Forest Rahul Pandey said: “The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the high-tech nurseries and other livelihood projects is under preparation and will be completed by November 10, following which the work will commence from December. The nurseries will have a mist chamber, compost units, interpretation centre, meeting hall and training facilities. The infrastructure will be able to support all kinds of seedlings raising, including rare and endangered ones.”

“In the first phase, 20 nurseries are being developed at the cost of ₹15 lakh. The remaining 20 will come up by next year,” Mr. Pandey said.

As part of the livelihood project, 1,345 hectares of shelter belts in the four districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and East Godavari is being developed out of which 470 hectares have already been completed.

“A 2-km avenue plantation project in the villages located along the coast will be taken up. A survey will also be taken up in villages in the coastal belt to identify panchayat land for block plantation,” he added.