Nellore: The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department has intensified its afforestation efforts under the Harit Andhra Pradesh initiative, with a target of covering 960.48 hectares across five forest divisions this financial year. District Forest Officer (DFO) Mahaboob Basha confirmed that plantation work is progressing rapidly, aided by recent rains.
Plantation Progress and Prepared Sites
The target areas include Udayagiri, Kavali, Atmakuru, Nellore, and Nellore Rural divisions. Work has already been completed over 100 hectares, while pit-digging and soil preparation have been finalised across most of the remaining sites.
The department has also prepared more than 20.65 million saplings in its nurseries. The saplings were selected based on soil and climate suitability. Basha expressed confidence that the entire target would be met by October, citing favourable planting conditions.
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Joint Funding and Rural Employment
The programme is jointly funded by the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and the Forest Department. This model not only supports ecological restoration but also boosts rural employment. Thousands of local workers are currently engaged in pit preparation, sapling raising, watering, and aftercare.
Climate Action and Public Involvement
Officials underlined that the initiative aims to expand tree cover, recharge groundwater, and mitigate climate change. Plantations are being carried out on vacant government lands, highways, residential colonies, and within forest areas.
Environmental activists have welcomed the effort. R. Srinivas, a local volunteer, said, “Planting trees is not just about greenery, it means cleaner air, better rainfall, and a sustainable future.”
The district administration has also appealed for greater community participation. “We urge citizens, NGOs, and organisations to adopt plantation sites and care for saplings as community assets,” officials stated.
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