Tree parks proposed in Kalyana Karnataka region to expand green cover

Kalaburagi:  Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has directed officials to prepare a proposal for setting up tree park in each Taluk to increase the forest cover in the Kalyana Karnataka (Hyderabad Karnataka) districts.

During his visit to Kalaburagi, Minister Khandre conducted a meeting with officials from Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, and Raichur districts at the Kalaburagi Circle Office on Sunday.

The minister assured that funds for the project would be provided by the department or KKRB Board adding that he would discuss the matter with the Chief Minister and the ministers concerned.

The Minister inquired about the status of the saplings planted every year by the forest department.

“What is the status of the saplings planted every year by the forest department and the ones distributed to the public, students, and organizations? Are they being protected? Have they survived? Are they being monitored by the department?” the minister asked and instructed officials to submit a comprehensive report on the present status of the saplings planted in the last five years.

Emphasizing the importance of protecting the sapling, particularly during the summer months, he instructed forest officials to prioritize consereving the plants.
The Minister said that Kalaburagi has only 3 percent of the forest cover, most of which is in Chincholi. He asked the officials to take all necessary measures to increase the forest cover.

He wanted more trees to be planted alongside lakes, wells, bridges, barrages, district roads, state highways, and national highways within the next 15 days.

The Minister also stated that as part of the Vanamahotsava program, the forest department is proposed to plant 5 crore saplings across the state in the next three months. At least 10 lakh saplings should be planted in Kalaburagi, he said.

He stressed the importance of enouraging farmers to cultivate plant species suitable for Kalaburagi's soil. "These plants should have commercial value and provide long-term benefits to the farmers. Implementing such projects would contribute to an increase in forest cover."

The Minister further suggested that the 14 nurseries in Kalaburagi district aim to produce 25 lakh saplings next year, ensuring that necessary support would be provided to achieve the goal.

During a review of the forest department's projects, the Conservator of Forests said that of the 583 sanctioned posts for Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichur, and Yadgir districts, 398 positions have been filled and 185 posts are vacant.

The Minister promised to take measures to fill these vacancies within the next six months, suggesting that officials hire staff on contract basis till vacancies are filled.