mt_logo

Haritha Haram in Rashtrapati Nilayam

Hon’ble President of India Sri Ramnath Kovind during his visit to Hyderabad discussed strategy for greening the Rashtrapati Nilayam area spread over 75 Acres with the forest department officials of Telangana. Accordingly, the plan was prepared and presented to the approval of the Rashtrapati Bhavan New Delhi.  

The planning is made based on the following principles:

– Retaining the existing tree growth

– Merging new themes of planting into existing ones

– Landscape work merging with natural terrain

– Gap areas with new themes of bio-diversity value

– Educational as well as Aesthetic orientation

The plan is approved by the Rashtrapati Bhavan for implementation. During the visit of Hon’ble President, the greening program is initiated on 5th August 2018. The following greenery development concepts are implemented so far

Palmatum: 495 plants of 30 different species of palms are planted. It has bio-diversity value, and is a gene pool of 30 species and is of educative value for the visitors to know and learn about different types of palms at one place. A trail path is developed to walk into it.

Rock Garden: An area with big boulders and rocks is developed as a rock garden with cactus plants and other succulent species in combination with colour stones. The state animal the Chital and the national animal the Tiger statues are displayed in the area. The total plants planted are 1830. It has aesthetic value and educative value.

Gymnosperms Grove: Gymnosperms are naked seeded plants i.,e, plants without fruits. Four species Thuja, Cycas, Zamia and Cupressus are planted as a grove. It has aesthetic, educative value and bio-diversity value.

Trees of Telangana: The common forest tree species of Telangana state are planted in one part of Rashtrapati Nilayam area. It is an opportunity to see 21 forest tree species of Telangana in one place. Total 901 plants are planted.

Woods of Western Ghats: Few selected tree species of Western ghats suitable for Hyderabad climate are planted. For visitors, it is a learning experience.

Vintage trees: the most commercially valuable trees are planted as vintage tree grove. Total  550 plants of Sandalwood, Redsanders and Rosewood are planted here

Sacred Grove: the venerated trees and tree parts used for worshipping are planted as a sacred grove. Species planted are Usiri, Bilwa, Jammi, temple tree

Neem Grove: Area with naturally existing Neem regeneration and is tended for proper growth. The gaps are planted with the Neem plants. Now it is a lush green Neem grove.

Butterfly garden: A small area is developed into a garden in a butterfly shape. The concept of a plantation is mini plants with many flowers to attract the butterflies. High aesthetic value and exciting for the children

Avenues: There are existing Avenues like Peltophorum, Neem and Ficus, the gaps in these avenues are planted with the same species. The three new avenues namely Spathodia, Bignonia and Mimusops are developed. In addition, the shrub planting is also taken up in the interspacing of tree species. All along the walkway 60 cm lawn is developed between and avenue and road edge. It adds to the ambiance improvement

Rainbow Tree Park: The trees which flower profusely are planted in the shape of a rainbow on all three directions of a triangular plot. About 13 species of 7 different colour flowers are planted. It has great aesthetic value. Total 737 plants are planted.

Flame of the Forest area: The naturally occurring trees and new regeneration of Butea monosperma are tended to develop into a grove. These plants flower profusely in bright red colour and appear as a flame in the forest

Bambusetum: 75 plants of 28 species of bamboo are planted as a grove. It is like a gene pool and is of biodiversity value and educative value as one gets to see many species of bamboo at one place

Lawn with Topiaries: The tree species which can be molded into different shapes are planted here to improve the ambiance and aesthetics.

Other developmental works include

– Water Cascade

– Tank Development

– Nature classroom

– Gazebo and Pagoda

About 175 new species of plants are added to enrich the biodiversity value at Rashtrapathi Nilayam. The financial support is extended by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Rs 80 lakh released. The work is executed by the Forest Department Telangana are in progress.

The Hon’ble President inaugurated the water cascade, palmatum and Rock garden. He appreciated the efforts made by the forest department in greening the area and bring the complete transformation of the landscape. The first lady Smt. Savitha Kovind accompanied the Hon’ble president in  the ceremony

Sri P.K. Jha PCCF (HoFF), Sri Ajay Mishra Spl. Chief Secretary Forest, Sri Raghuveer PCCF (IT & Vigilance) Smt. Shobha APCCF, Sri RM. Dobriyal APCCF, Sri Muneendra APCCF  participated in President programme.

Earlier in the morning walk of the Hon’ble president, the executive team comprising of Dr. G. Chandrashekar Reddy APCCF Hyderabad, Sri. Sudhakar Reddy DFO Medchal and Laxman FRO shown the efforts made by the forest department in greening the Rashtrapati Nilayam.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *