The Telangana Forest Department has recently started planting activities(Compensatory Afforestation) in 7 districts to cover 2653.121 hac of non forest lands given in lieu of 3367.139 hac of forest land diverted for Kaleshwaram Project.
Another highlight of this is taking up Compensatory Afforestation or plantation on Non-Forest Areas even before the commissioning of the project and much ahead of schedule is a clear reflection of State Government’s commitment and efforts towards environment especially making it green.
Various interventions like complete protection of areas by way of chain-linked fencing to rejuvenate the existing forest, planting interventions suiting local needs and using innovative techniques at hostile locations and various soil and moisture conservation measures for improvement of moisture regime are being taken up by the department.
More than 50 % of the area fall in Karimnagar Circle covering three districts of Rajanna Sircilla, jagtiyal and Peddapalli where 1752.198hacwas handed over to Forest Department in lieu of Diverted forest. More than 34 blocks of different areas at diverse locations in three districts are being taken up for planting for the last one month.
Out of total target of planting 192000plants in 34 Blocks, 140000 pits have been dug so far and planting has been completed in 124784 numbers in three districts of Karimnagar Circle.
The Challenges involved in planting in these area are scattered locations, Undulating hilly terrain with boulders and rocky outcrops and varied site and soil conditions ,unpreparedness of the department as per plan the planting was to be taken up from 2020 onwards ,Hostile terrain and dealing with areas that were subjected to frequent biotic pressures and degradation. Seethaphal or custard apple plantations are being planned in this area it is reported.
