MCH to develop tree parks on partnership basis

By V.N.Harinath

HYDERABAD, JULY 8. Constrained by lack of space on the roadside and faced with

alarming rise in the levels of air and noise pollution as well as threats posed by rising temperature, the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) has hit upon a novel concept of developing tree parks on patnership basis in all residental layouts and open spaces where welfare associations are active. There are about 620 such associations in the Twin Cities.

The MCH has fixed an immediate target of putting up 300 tree parks which will have facilities like seating, illumination, pathways, protective walls, fencing and children's play areas. The pathway work is to be taken up by the Engineering division of the MCH.

The civic body will bear the cost of maintenance of these parks on partnership basis at 75, 50 and 25 per cent for the first three years respectively. The balance cost will have to be met by the association. From the fourth year onwards the association will have to take care of the parks. In case an association expresses its unwillingness to do so, the MCH will only take up the task of planting trees and maintaining them.

As part of the concept, which is different from the colony parks already being taken up by the MCH, trees both ornamental and shade bearing, have already been planted in about 50 parks in the areas of Srinagar Colony, Engineers Colony, Madhavnagar, Malakpet, Saidabad and Netajinagar, an official of the corporation told The Hindu on Friday. Fifty to 200 trees have been planted in each park. The target of tree planting is expected to be completed in four months.

The official did not foresee any difficulty in the residential welfare ssociations accepting the concept as such tree parks were easy to maintain. Also, there was growing awareness among the people for increasing the green cover in the City. "Only watering needs to be done."

He explained that large-scale plantation was required since the City did not have enough number of trees to cater to the needs of the citizens with regard to oxygen, shade and controlling the microclimate.

The main benefits of such parks would be amelioration of micro climate, keeping a check on rising temperatures, providing shade, improving aesthetics, preventing encroachments and reducing pollution.

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