The hot and dry weather prevailing in the district is posing a problem to Haritha Haram, one of the prestigious programmes of the Government of Telangana. The nurseries in the district are unable to raise sufficient number of saplings to cater to the programme all because of the sweltering heat.
Unable to withstand the heat the saplings are withering away and efforts to protect them by providing green shades and water proved futile.
The heat wave conditions are likely to mar the Haritha Haram programme to be undertaken on a grand scale with much pomp for week days from July 1 as 30 per cent seed of the plants failed to germinate.
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When the horticulture and forest officials reported the same to Collector D. Ronald Ross he suggested that they send proposals for growing additional plants and also for construction of sheds. He also asked them to solve problems by coordinating with special officers appointed to each mandal exclusively for the purpose.
Originally it was planned to grow 3.35 crore saplings at over 300 nurseries to make the programme a grand success this year.
It was decided to plant curry leaf, citrus fruit, pomegranate, papaya, mango and coconut saplings at residential homes, schools and offices.
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It was also decided to plant more saplings in industrial complexes, Government offices, educational institutions and other places where sprawling grounds and premises were available.
List of plants
The Collector also directed the authorities to prepare constituency wise list of the required categories of plants.
Besides, the government departments such as Forest, DWAMA, DRDA, Panchayat Raj and Education were asked to to rope in students on a large scale to plant saplings and also maintain them by watering regularly.
Efforts have also been on to identify places to dig pits and water sources.
The message to students to stand as a role model for others by contributing to raise plants at homes and schools is likely to go down well with them provided they are motivated in the right direction.
The Collector, on Thursday, went round nurseries being raised at various villages and made suggestions to the staff and residents to take interest to raise sufficient number of plants and protect them.