Farmers asked to plant trees on farm pond bunds

Anantapur:  'Operation Greening Mission' unveiled by the district administration had given a call to the farmers to plant trees on farm pond bunds and also on field bunds to give a big boost to the ground water table. 

The ambitious plan is for planting 6 crore saplings in the district. More than 600 hills were identified for increasing forest cover. Wind mill operators in the district were asked to adopt the hills for planting saplings. If the 27 lakh acres of farm land bunds and farm pond bunds are given a green cover, nearly 3 crore plants in the crop lands will cover the district like a canopy, the district administration believes. 

District Forest Officer Chandrasekhar told the 'The Hans India' that tree plantation is taken up on a mission to change the adverse climate of the 
district. The farmers of  the district are also  advised to shift from mono-crop practices to multi-crop and inter-cropping practices and cultivation of crops like millets and pulses.

Experts suggest that bank loans, crop loans, pensions and all government benefits should be linked to each farmer planting 10 trees in his field.  Awareness should be created among the farmers that the green cover is for influencing a change in the climate and for the welfare of future generations.

It is mandatory for every district to have 33 percent of forest or green cover, the district has only 10 percent of green cover. This again is only on records while the actual green cover, according to observers, is a mere 2-3 percent. 

District Collector Veera Pandian, speaking to 'The Hans India' said that green cover provides the perfect environment for altering the climatic conditions of the district.

The total geographical area of the district is 19,13,000 hectares. The rainfall recorded up to May 2018 was 807.7 mm. Of the total rainfall received 41 per cent is evaporation losses, 9 per cent is soil moisture, 10 per cent is ground water recharged and 40 percent is run-off water.

Promotion of agro-forestry among farm lands by farmers can quickly boost forest cover apart from greening the lofty and ordinary mountains. These steps can combat the conditions that triggers in drought and redefine the climate of the district.

By doing so thousands of crores of rupees being invested on providing artificial respiration can be saved by addressing basic issues and problems that can be rectified by adopting a scientific approach and educating the farmers on the lines.

The forest official  says that green cover first neutralises the hot climate which is a pre-requisite for cooling the atmosphere and for attracting 
showers. The farmers are also advised to shift from mono-crop practices to multi-crop and inter-cropping practices.