Having been entrusted with the huge task of planting around 3.29 crore saplings under the fifth phase of the Telanganaku Haritha Haaram (TKHH) in the district, the Forest department has introduced the famous Japanese “Miyawaki” method of afforestation in the Velugumatla urban park here on a pilot basis to supplement the green drive.
The Forest department has drawn up a plan to harness the popular technique, developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, to grow urban forests and expand the district’s green cover as well as to meet the stipulated plantation target under the TKHH, sources said.
Thanks to the initiative of Collector R V Karnan, the department has decided to grow native plant species in about one hectare in the Velugumatla urban park on the outskirts of the town on a pilot basis. The move is aimed at creating natural green spaces by gradually extending the method, well-known for growing mini urban forests in limited spaces in a relatively less time, to other areas in the district, sources added.
Officer on Special Duty (TKHH) at Chief Minister’s Office Priyanka Varghese planted saplings at the urban park at Velugumatla in adherence to the Miyawaki method of afforestation on Thursday evening.
Mr Karnan, the District Forest Officer Praveena, and others were present.
Earlier in the day, Ms Priyanka Varghese inspected various nurseries in Kusumanchi, Mudigonda and Khammam urban mandals.
Speaking on the occasion, she said adequate saplings have been kept ready in around 12,751 gram panchayat nurseries across the State to plant 100 crore saplings across the length and breadth of Telangana under the fifth phase of TKHH. Efforts are under way to plant saplings in the areas which received the initial spell of rains in the current monsoon season.
She exhorted all sections of people to collectively strive to make the fifth phase of TKHH a success and help improve Telangana's green cover.
