One house, one plant in Haritha Haram in Kothagudem

​Kothagduem: Motivated by last year’s achievement in implementing Haritha Haram third phase, Kothagudem district administration is gearing up for the fourth phase of the green drive. The target for 2018-19 is to plant 98 lakh saplings across the district.

The district bagged first place in the State in implementing the programme by planting 1.60 crore saplings last year.

The forest department has been growing 78 lakh saplings in six divisions in the district for the fourth phase. There are two types – fruits-bearing plants and forest plants like Teku and others. The six divisions, which are growing the saplings are - forest department - 76 lakh saplings; district rural development agency (DRDA) - 21 lakhs; horticulture department - 3 lakhs; sericulture - 6 lakhs; integrated tribal development agency (DRDA) - 7 lakhs; and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) - 6 lakhs. Along with these, other departments are also on the job. 

District Collector Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu is taking special interest in implementing the government’s flagship programme Haritha Haram. The officials of various departments are also ready to grab the first place again. 

The target of saplings plantation for the 23 departments is like this. Three lakhs saplings for police; one lakh saplings for irrigation; one lakh for excise; 22 lakhs for DRDA; one lakh for TSFDC; three lakhs for agriculture; six lakh for Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL); 40,000 for industries; 55,000 for education; five lakhs for tribal welfare; 10,000 for social welfare; 10 lakh for seri and horticulture; 5,000 for gram panchyat; 65,000 for municipality; besides fixing targets for revenue, child welfare, labour, endowments and roads and buildings.

Speaking to the media, District forest officer Rambabu said they had planted 1. 60 crore saplings last year across the district with the coordination from all departments. This year the district is planning to reach the target of planting 98 lakhs in the district. 

The forest department is growing 78 lakhs saplings in various nurseries in the district. This year the department’s slogan is “One house, one plant”.  Planting sapligs is important but protecting and watering the planted ones is more important, Rambabu observed.