Sapling Planting Initiative in Yadgir
Forest Department of Yadgir launched plan to plant 2.88 lakh saplings this monsoon. Goal: boost district's green cover. One lakh saplings will go to public,hoping to get community in on reforestation.
Yadgir's got 29,790 hectares of forest now,only 6% of its total 5.23 lakh hectares. To change that,department's set to plant 1,88,550 saplings in places like government land,schools,along roads,Gomal land . Planting's already started.
Saplings divided by range: 1,07,820 for Yadgir,28,280 for Gurmitkal,and 52,490 for Shorapur. And department's giving one lakh saplings to public for planting at home. Mix of neem,banyan,mahogany,pongamia,sandalwood,alar.
Every monsoon,department runs sapling drive to expand green areas. Deputy Conservator Annaraya Patil stressed community's role,telling locals to pick up saplings from nearest Forest Department office.
Even with big effort, survival rate of saplings is 75% to 90%. Patil says several factors cause sapling loss — some get damaged,some die. Department's set to protect planted saplings for three years to help them thrive . Will they make it? Time will tell…
