Title - Hyderabad Metro to step up tree plantation drive

HYDERABAD : 
Hyderabad Metro Rail plans to intensify plantation and tree relocation drive during the monsoon.Following good response to the mass plantation programme of the metro under Vana Deeksha and Vana Prasadam schemes last year, plantation activity is being undertaken this year again, NVS Reddy, Managing Director of HMR said.About 60,000 saplings were planted last year in the city mainly on the campuses of educational institutions, research institutes, along the roads and in residential colonies. The survival rate is about 98 per cent. And about 700 trees were translocated with 100 per cent survival rate.A new feature in the current year is planting of some tall trees (about 15 feet) along the service roads and in colonies. Plants of religious significance like Ravi (Peepal), Medi (Cluster Fig), Marri (Banyan), Jammi (Bulrush), Christmas tree, Thuja, Sarvi (Casurina), Pogada (Mimusops), Kanuga (Pongamia) etc., are also being planted in places of worship having vacant space.

Under Vana Prasadam scheme, limited number of plants are being distributed free of cost at Metro Rail Bhavan to individuals, organisations and resident welfare associations.

On popular demand especially from women and senior citizens fruit bearing varieties like Usiri (Amla), Jama (Guava), Sapota (Chickoo), Panasa (Jackfruit), Nimma (Lime), Mango and flowering plants like Ganneru (Nerium), Mandara (hibiscus), Nandivardhanam (Moonbeam), Patcha Ganneru (Tecoma) etc., are also being distributed, Reddy said in a statement.