Focus on survival of plants in Warangal

Warangal: The target is not just planting one crore saplings but also to ensure their survival, Warangal Urban District Collector Prashanth Jeevan Patil has said, taking part in the Haritha Haram programme along with Greater Warangal Mayor Gunda Prakash Rao at Singaram village under Inavole mandal on Friday.

"The farmers will be provided with authorisation letters to cut and sell Srichandanam and teak plants which they raise in their fields after 10 years," the Collector said, urging farmers to take up plantation drive on a massive note. It may be mentioned here that citizens need government permission to cut Srichandanam and teak plants. He along with Mayor planted teak saplings in the field of a farmer, Paladugula Rajender, at Singaram village.

The teak and Srichandanam plants would provide additional income, Patil said, stating that fruit-bearing plants and shade-giving trees would not only give additional income to farmers but also sustain groundwater levels. He said that the government was providing saplings free of cost to farmers to those who plant them on field bunds.

He directed the officials to create awareness about the importance of Haritha Haram, its benefits and marketing facilities among the farming community. He said that the agriculture department was entrusted with the responsibility of planting six lakh saplings in farm fields. Stating that the Urban district has just 3 per cent of green cover, Patil urged the people to make it 33 per cent.

Agriculture assistant director Damodar Reddy, farmers coordination committee (FCC) district coordinator Lalitha, village FCC coordinator Rajaram and mandal FCC coordinator Jayapal were among others present.