Haritha Haram is a flagship programme of the Government of Telangana aimed at increasing the state’s green cover. The term “Haritha Haram” translates to “green garland” in Telugu. Launched by Telangana Chief Minister Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao on 3 July 2015, the programme seeks to rejuvenate degraded forests, promote massive tree plantation drives in both forest and non-forest areas (such as roadside avenues, river banks, barren hills, institutional campuses, religious places, and urban areas), and create widespread awareness on environmental conservation. The initiative also includes robust monitoring mechanisms through geo-tagging and oversight by various committees at the state, district, and village levels.
Benefits
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Increased Green Cover:
Helps improve air quality, reduce soil erosion, and provide habitat for wildlife. -
Climate Change Mitigation:
By absorbing carbon dioxide, trees contribute to reducing greenhouse gas levels. -
Soil and Water Conservation:
Trees prevent soil erosion, improve soil quality, and enhance water retention. -
Biodiversity Conservation:
Expanded green cover supports diverse plant and animal species. -
Economic Opportunities:
Generates employment in the forestry sector and boosts the production of non-timber forest products. -
Health Benefits:
Improved green cover contributes to better air quality and reduces stress.
Eligibility
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Individuals:
Any individual in Telangana can volunteer for tree plantation drives or plant saplings independently. -
NGOs:
Registered non-governmental organizations actively involved in environmental conservation can participate. -
Educational Institutions:
Schools, colleges, and universities can organize plantation drives or adopt forest areas. -
Government Departments and Corporates:
Various government bodies and companies (via CSR initiatives) can take part in the programme.
There are no strict eligibility criteria for individuals; however, institutional participants must meet registration and operational requirements.
Application Process
Offline Process:
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For Individuals:
Participation is voluntary, and no formal application is required. Individuals can join organised tree plantation drives. -
For Organizations (NGOs, Educational Institutions, Government Departments, Corporates):
Interested entities should contact the District Forest Officer (DFO) of their district to express interest. The DFO provides details on programme requirements and the necessary application forms or project proposals.
Once the application or proposal is submitted, the concerned authorities review the details, and once approved, participants receive the required support and resources to implement their plantation activities.
Documents Required
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Individuals:
Generally, individuals need to sign a declaration form committing to the programme guidelines. -
Organizations:
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Registration certificate
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Authorization letter from the head of the institution
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Details of infrastructure available for plantation
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PAN card and bank account details
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Additional documents as required by the DFO
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Where can I find details about the nearest nursery?
Information on local nurseries is provided by the District Forest Office. -
How can I find the availability of species in a nursery?
The DFO and local nursery directories can provide details on species availability. -
How do I register a planting site after identification?
Registration details and procedures are coordinated through the local forest department. -
Where can I provide feedback about the programme?
Feedback can be provided directly to the District Forest Office or via the official Haritha Haram website. -
What is Haritha Haram?
Haritha Haram is a comprehensive tree plantation and environmental conservation programme initiated by the Government of Telangana. -
What is the objective of Haritha Haram?
Its objective is to increase the state’s green cover, mitigate climate change, and promote ecological balance. -
Who can participate in Haritha Haram?
Individuals, NGOs, educational institutions, government departments, and corporates can all participate. -
What are the benefits of participating in Haritha Haram?
Participants help improve environmental quality, contribute to biodiversity conservation, and support local economic development. -
What kind of trees are planted under Haritha Haram?
Native species suited to local environmental conditions are predominantly planted. -
What is the timeline for the Haritha Haram programme?
The programme is ongoing, with annual targets for sapling plantation and continuous monitoring. -
How is Haritha Haram funded?
The programme is fully funded by the Government of Telangana.