HYDERABAD: The cash-strapped Telangana forest department is planning to tap the corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds received by the state government to develop forest blocks in the districts of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy.
The department sought 3 to 5 pc of CSR funds received by the government. Apart from improving the lung spaces, the department also plans to educate urbanites about environment by using the funds.
Principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden PK Sharma said 52 forest blocks in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy divisions would be developed.
As most of the corporate companies are located in the two districts, he said, the funds from them would be used to develop the green spaces here. Jogging tracks, theme parks, bicycle tracks are some of the plans that are on the minds of the department’s officials. Whether corporate companies would be given credit for the proposed development is a detail which would be decided later.
The blocks would be revamped on the lines of Bhagyanagar Nandanavanam at Narapally in Ghatkesar mandal.
Hyderabad district forest officer D Nagabhushanam said 13 forest blocks would be developed in Greater Hyderabad. As of now, they are filled with plantations. Most of the 52 blocks are surrounded by habitations.
“To revamp them, initially a periphery wall will be constructed which will also check encroachments. Plans are there to put into place environmental education centres to make people aware about environment,” Nagabhushanam said.