Peddapalli: As monsoon arrives, the State government is preparing a major tree-planting campaign to increase greenery.
Nurseries are being set up in both towns and villages. In villages, EGS field assistants and panchayat secretaries are in charge, while in towns, the municipal commissioner and staff oversee them.
The district has nurseries in 266 gram panchayats. Places like Peddapalli, Sultanabad, and Manthani municipalities, along with several corporation areas, are involved. The district aims to plant 8 lakh saplings this year. In past efforts, 80 to 90 percent of saplings survived.
Various plants like guava, lemon, papaya, roses, hibiscus, and grafted varieties are ready for distribution. Officials recently met to ensure nursery monitoring. Due to pending local elections, special officers manage gram panchayats, which are also burdened by the financial strain of setting up nurseries.
Officials mention that the Central government has halted funds due to the absence of local representatives. Vacant government lands, lands for taddy tapper labour unions, and spaces in front of community centers are being chosen for planting.
EGS officials confirmed that site inspections for planting, including along SSRSP canals, are complete.
DRDO M Kalindini informed The Hans India that the sapling planting target has been set for the district. Targets for villages, departments, and mandals are established.
The planting goals for mandals include: Antargam 48,000; Dharmaram 87,000; Eligedu 36,000; Julapalli 39,000; Kamanpur 27,000; Manthani 1,02,000; Mutharam 44,000; Odela 66,000; Palakurthi 57,000; Peddapalli 90,000; Ramagiri 51,000; Srirampur 72,000; and Sultanabad 81,000.
