Nagaravanam gets ready for inauguration in Nellore

Nellore: City population can greatly relish with the presence of the much-awaited City Forest (Nagaravanam) being developed on the outskirts of Nellore as majority works have been completed and is getting ready for inauguration. Though the Forest was proposed to develop in the year 2015, it took about 4 years for actual completion.

Urban forestry is basically for giving lung space for urban conglomerations and it was planned to develop in around 350 acres close to Kothuru with Rs. 5 crore. The project was also aimed for controlling pollution levels in the district headquarters.

Nellore is a fast-growing city with around 6 lakh population and is lacking significant green cover for the people to spend during holidays. A foundation stone was also laid for the project on July 17, 2015 during Vanamahotsavam programme.

The City Forest will have natural path of 4.25 km, an inner walking track of 2.30 km, a boating pond, and children's park and the spot will be having greenery, playground, yoga centre, and others for recreation and physical fitness activity. The forest department selected the reserve forest within 20 km from the city at Kothuru on Nellore-Rapur road and it was planned to utilise central assistance for developing the project.

The place is a reserve forest and some portion of land was taken from the AP Forest Development Corporation. Greenery will be developed with medicinal plants, children park, bamboos and lawns. Three water bodies in the area are being improved for water throughout the year for maintenance of the forest. In addition to shrubs, the officials are planning to grow neem, sandalwood, red sanders, mango, tamarind, jackfruit, berry (neredu), maddi and eucalyptus trees for shade and greenery.

Now, forest officials are considering developing another city forest between Naidupet and Puduru area in around 50 acres with Rs. 1 cr. The project had to be started in last November, but it was delayed as there were no financial allocations. Officials are expecting around Rs. 30-35 lakhs for the inauguration of Nellore city forest shortly.