The Municipal Corporation of Karimnagar, which has been shortlisted for Smart City status by the Union government, has gone a step ahead by geo-tagging saplings planted as part of the State government’s ongoing Telanganaku Haritha Haram programme in Karimnagar town on Google Maps .
Municipal Commissioner Krishna Bhaskar — who had won accolades for developing an app named ‘Dharmapuri Mahapushakaralu’ during last year’s Godavari pushkaralu in Dharmapuri temple town when he was the Jagtial Sub-Collector in Karimnagar district — geo-tagged the Haritha Haram programme on Google Maps. Already, he has recorded the information of 140 major locations and 70 small locations where municipal corporators planted saplings numbering 20 and above in various localities.
The geo-tapping technology is used to keep a watch on the saplings. The MCK has decided to take up plantation of 2 lakh saplings on a single day across the town. The authorities have identified places in and around the town for the same, and have also decided to distribute at least two saplings to each household.
Incidentally, Karimnagar town is spread across only 23 square kilometres, while Warangal Corporation is spread across 400 square km, Khammam 100 square km, Nizamabad 50 square km, and Ramagundam around 90 square km. However, authorities have chalked out plans to ensure that survival rate of the saplings is at least 70 per cent by involving all sections of society. Vermi-compost produced by the MCK by using garbage generated in the town is being used to make sure the plants survive and get more nutrients.
The authorities have decided to distribute pamphlets elaborating the importance of proper plantation and protection of the environment to every household in the town. It was also decided to convene monthly meetings in each municipal division with the corporators and locals and review the progress of the saplings planted.
The MCK also adopted the ‘Chettu-Bottu’ programme where tilak would be applied on the forehead of residents of every household along with also presenting saplings for them to plant. The authorities have decided to use two water tankers for the watering of plants and take the help of philanthropists for the supply of tree guards for their protection.
Authorities have chalked out plans to ensure that survival rate of saplings is at least 70 per cent
