Coastal Andhra Pradesh to have shelterbelt plantation by September end

The Forest Department has announced its plans of planting a shelterbelt in the four North coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. Covering a total area of 1000 hectares, they plan to complete this unique project by the end of September this year.

To keep a check on the winds, trees like the Casuarina and Palmyra will be planted in the Cyclone and Tsunami prone areas.

Apart from these, several uncommon medicinal plants are also being raised in nurseries for their inclusion in the shelterbelt plantation in Andhra PRadesh. Notably, around 800 hectares of the plantation project have already been completed with funds from the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Relief.

Reportedly, the Visakhapatnam regional Divisional Forest Officer mentioned that funds have been allotted by the World Bank for livelihood projects which include nurseries and plantations. Rs 30 crores have already been utilised while another Rs 5 crores will be used for avenue plantation within 15 km radius of the coast. He also said that they would complete the 1000 hectares of plantation by the end of September this year.

Speaking to The Times of India, the Forest Officer mentioned that apart from the belt and avenue plantations, two uncommon species of plants like the Mesua ferra and the Cycad species from the Eastern Ghats are also being raised in the nurseries for their high medicinal and timber values. The Mesua ferra is only found in about 5 hectares within the Araku-Paderu region while the Cycad species are predominant in the Chodavaram-Madugula area.