Telangana government's plantation plan set to go dry

Hyderabad: The Telangana government’s plantation programme ‘Harita Haram’ has become a farce in the city as the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), which was supposed to plant as many as 50 lakh saplings, avoided it last year due to several reasons.

GHMC claims to have planted over nine lakh plants spending Rs 20 crore since its formation. But, the civic body did not achieve its goals as most of the plants died due to lack of maintenance and post plantation care in last nine years. However, officials prepared an action-plan to plant another 50 lakh saplings with an estimation of Rs 100 crore.

Ex-deputy director S Mustafa had earlier told media that the corporation would start its works in July, 2015 on par with other districts under ‘Telangana ku Harita Haram’ programme and said that besides the banks of Musi River, roads, parks, institution would be included in the programme.

Delay in the arrival of monsoon, lack of planning, stir by employment guarantee scheme workers who deal with nurseries in rural areas, continuous festival seasons and other reasons had an adverse effect.

Other departments and public sector units except GHMC held massive plantation programme during several occasions at their respective institutions. Deputy Director for biodiversity wing of GHMC, Damodar told DC that the target of plantation would be covered in the current year.