GHMC to observe green Fridays

GHMC Commissioner B Janardhan Reddy has laid emphasis on safeguarding saplings planted during the recent Haritha Haram and disclosed that the civic body observes Fridays as green days as part of its endeavour to protect the saplings with the help of NGOs and colony welfare associations. 

During the Haritha Haram, the civic body planted over 84 lakh saplings in twin cities, which is over and above the civic body’s target. He was addressing a meeting with the representatives of civil society organisations, colony welfare associations and green organisations here on Wednesday. 

He said representatives of Haritha Haram participant organisations, colony welfare associations, parks maintenance committees, and GHMC Horticulture department officials would undertake visits to the places



where saplings have been planted and implement special measures to protect them. 

“Many plants have been given to educational institutions, government offices and the public sector undertakings (PSUs) that have compound walls,” he said adding that the civic body was keen on survival of at least 90 per cent of the saplings planted. 

While nursing the plants, suggestions received from various quarters will be implemented. He described Haritha Haram as a continuous programme. Tree guards were necessary to promote social forestry, he said, adding that the civic body would give priority to procure the tree guards free of cost from colony residential association or from commercial establishments. The tree guards were available in the market from Rs 80 to Rs 800.