HYDERABAD: As many as six new urban forests will be developed in Telangana under the Nagar Van Yojana, with the Union government sanctioning Rs 8.26 crore for the project in the 2025–26 financial year and releasing 70% of the amount as the first instalment.
The approved locations span three districts — Adilabad (Mavala and Yapalaguda-II), Mancherial (Indaram in Kothanapalli mandal and Chennur) and Medchal–Malkajgiri (Yellampet and Chengicherla).
The funds will be routed through the Telangana Forest Development Corporation under the supervision of the PCCF & HoFF, Telangana Forest Department.
Under the initiative, urban forests will be developed within city and town limits to boost green cover in urban and peri-urban areas, address environmental imbalance caused by rapid urbanisation and provide healthy, pollution-free spaces for residents.
Priority will be given to native and locally adapted plant species, with extensive plantations planned to strengthen ecological resilience and restore natural habitats. Designed as accessible green lungs, the urban forests will include walking and jogging tracks, seating and resting areas, landscaped green lawns and eco-friendly infrastructure to encourage public use.
They are expected to improve air quality, lower ambient temperatures, conserve rainwater, recharge groundwater and support urban biodiversity, including birds and small wildlife.
It may be recalled that in December, the Union government had sanctioned 14 new Urban Forest Parks across nine districts in Telangana under the Nagar Van Yojana.