Guntur civic body plans to plant five lakh saplings this monsoon

Guntur Municipal Corporation is planning to plant over five lakh saplings across the city during the ongoing monsoon. It has already planted about 35,000 saplings between June and August so far, GMC Commissioner Puli Srinivasulu told The Hindu.

Mr. Srinivasulu said the GMC Standing Committee and Council have approved a proposal. The saplings are being procured from AP Greening Corporation, Forest Department nurseries and private nurseries.

GMC will promote home composting covering 75,000 houses, and clustering composting covering 50,000 households to ensure manure to these plants. Mr. Srinivasulu said they are encouraging schools, colleges, commercial establishments, NGOs, housing societies, and individuals to plant the saplings.

The civic body is also planning to have ornamental plants along major roads. Local women Self Help Groups (SHGs) and residential welfare associations would care for them. Moreover, parks in the city will be developed with medicinal plants.

Stating that the GMC is covered under NCAP (National Clean Air Programme), the Commissioner said the local body is planning to reduce carbon emissions by promoting greenery.