Kalaburagi aiming for greener future with mass sapling drive

Deputy Commissioner B. Fouzia Taranum launched a large-scale sapling plantation drive to mark World Environment Day, in Kalaburagi on June 5, 2025. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

In a determined push towards increasing green cover in the sun-scorched region of Kalaburagi, Deputy Commissioner B. Fouzia Taranum launched a large-scale sapling plantation drive on June 5, which is celebrated as World Environment Day.

The initiative was launched under the banner of the ‘Amrit Mitra’ campaign at the Public Garden in Gokul Nagar, Shahbazar area. The event was jointly organised by the district administration, Kalaburagi City Corporation, and the Forest Department.

Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum emphasised the role of community participation, especially by women, in creating a sustainable and greener Kalaburagi. The campaign carries the slogan ‘Women for Trees’, reinforcing the leadership of women in environmental conservation.

“As part of the campaign, around 2,000 saplings will be planted in public parks and open spaces across Kalaburagi city under ‘Women For Trees’ slogan. The saplings are being distributed to members of registered women’s self-help groups under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission. These women will be responsible for planting the saplings by August 31, and maintaining them for a period of two years. The Central Government will provide financial support for the upkeep through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT),” Ms. Taranum said.

Pointing to the Forest Department’s target of planting of 4.43 lakh saplings over 1,060.50 hectares of land across Kalaburagi district in the 2025–26 financial year, Ms. Taranum called upon the people to join hands with the initiative to make Kalaburagi a clean and green district.

“It includes block plantations over 567.50 hectares under social foresting initiative and roadside plantations stretching up to 350 km. Around 1.64 lakh saplings will be distributed to the general public, farmers, and organisations under the programme,” she said.

Kalaburagi, which has forest cover of less than 5%, falls within the Kalyana Karnataka region where all districts have forest areas below 10%. The new plantation drive aims to address this ecological imbalance by substantially increasing green cover in the region.

The event was attended by Superintendent of Police Adduru Srinivasulu, city corporation Commissioner Avinash Shinde, Deputy Conservator of Forests Sumit Patil, Corporation Deputy Commissioner R.P. Jadhav and staff members from the municipal and forest departments.

Published - June 06, 2025 10:14 am IST