Initiative will be launched for increasing green cover in Kalyana Karnataka, says Khandre

Forest, Zoology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre (left), accompanied by Sharan Prakash Patil and Ajay Singh, speaking to the media at the Aiwan-e-Shahi Guest House in Kalaburagi on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

Taking note of forest cover falling below 10% in several districts of Kalyana Karnataka, the State government will launch a large-scale tree-planting initiative on June 1, Forest, Zoology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre has said.

Speaking to the media at the Aiwan-e-Shahi Guest House in Kalaburagi on Saturday, Mr. Khandre highlighted that districts such as Kalaburagi (5%), Ballari (7%), Yadgir and Raichur (3% each) have alarmingly low forest coverage.

“As a first step towards ecological restoration, we have planned to plant one lakh saplings along roadsides in these four districts starting June 1. To ensure the maintenance of these saplings, each one will be geo-tagged and documented. High-quality saplings that are well-suited to our soil will be sourced from Rajahmundry in the neighbouring State of Andhra Pradesh,” he said.

“Information such as how much each planted sapling grows in a given year and its current condition will be recorded on the department’s website. The government has drawn up a long-term plan to increase forest cover in the Kalyana Karnataka region by 10–20% over the next 10-15 years,” he said.

On the overall green initiative, Mr. Khandre said that approximately 8.5 crore saplings have been planted after the Congress government came to power in the State.

“Officials claim that around 80%-90% of these saplings survive and grow. However, following an independent third-party review, it has been found that about 70% of the saplings are actually surviving,” he said.

He said that “if the board can allocate ₹100 crore for increasing green cover in the Kalyana Karnataka region, it will be highly beneficial.”

Madbol Zoo

Providing an update on the upcoming zoo at Madbol in Chittapur taluk of Kalaburagi district, Mr. Khandre said that the zoo being developed on 40 acres of land at a cost of ₹60 crore will be ready for inauguration by the end of December 2025.

“Once completed, the facility will house a variety of animals, including tigers, lions and leopards, offering visitors a significant wildlife experience. Staff for the zoo are being trained at established zoological centres in Mysuru and Bannerghatta,” he added.