In a rather ambitious plan, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has come up with an action plan to plant 120 lakh saplings as a part of its Telanganaku Haritha Haram program. Incidentally, the state government’s flagship program is recognized by the United Nations as the third-largest effort for afforestation in the world. As per GHMC’s plan, 860 km of avenue plantation will be taken up, which will include 160 multi-layer avenue plantations (MLAP).

In all, a total of 17.20 lakh plantation has been proposed under avenue, median, and MLAP plantation all along the main roads. Also, based on the green lining along the road stretches, 4200 km of avenue plantation will be taken up by GHMC. These measures are in addition to the plantations that will be taken up in 2100 colonies.

There are 4846 colonies under GHMC limits, and green development has already been completed in 454 colonies. Work is on in 900 colonies and will be completed by the end of December. In the remaining 2100 colonies, the task of increasing the green cover will be taken up under TKHH 2022.

Dense plantations will be taken up in temples, existing parks, tree parks, institutions, playgrounds, crematoriums, graveyards, and other areas around colonies. Also, the selected sapling will be planted in these residential localities in coordination with resident welfare associations. Work in 2100 colonies will commence in January 2022, and 68.85 lakh saplings will be planted during this drive.

On the other hand, saplings will be planted along with the bund areas and buffer zones of all the 185 lakes. Ward-level nurseries are being grounded at 600 locations, and 125 lakh plants are being raised, including tall plants. GHMC also developed three urban forest parks, and 3.70 lakh plants will be raised in these lung spaces.