KAMAREDDY: District collector N Satyanaryana is encouraging toddy tappers societies to plant Eetha and Kajura (species of palm tree) saplings in their lands.
Meanwhile, the district collector provided `1.40 lakh for providing water facilities to 11 societies who have come forward to protect the planted saplings in their lands. Water facility will be provided to the respective beneficiaries from the district collector’s funds during the Haritha Haraam programme.
The aim is to increase the availability of natural toddy in the district in the coming five years. During Haritha Haaram last year, the excise department planted 2 lakh saplings and this year, the department has decided to plant 4.50 lakh saplings across government and private lands.
By considering toddy tappers’ demand this year, excise department has decided to bring 20,000 special variety of toddy samplings locally called ‘Jilugu’ from Kadiyam nursery of East Godavari district which will give around 50 litres toddy per day.
This decision was implemented by officials following directions of Agriculture minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy. “Last year, we distributed only 2,000 saplings of local variety,” Kamareddy district excise superintendent P Chandrasekhar said. Collector will also provide drip facility to beneficiaries.