Khammam: Haritha Haram programme, which is being conducted amidst fanfare, had many bottlenecks in taking it forward. Providing fencing to the saplings planted and geo-tagging is a big problem to the officials. They openly expressed their inability and sought government’s help in fulfilling the target. The government is very particular in protecting the saplings and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao himself directed the officials to take necessary measures. Providing fencing and geo-tagging are the best way to fulfil aspirations of the Chief Minister.
Dearth of funds became a problem and the officials sought government’s assistance.

Protecting the plants without fencing is not possible and lakhs of rupees have to be spent on them. The cost of fencing one sapling will be around Rs 150. There is no need of fencing to the saplings located in forest areas and remote areas. But, protection is necessary for the plants, which were located in rural and urban areas. About 2.98 crore saplings were planted so far under the programme against the target of 3.5 crore saplings. The district officials assured the government that they would plant 72 lakh saplings more than the target. It is estimated that at least 1.75 crore saplings need fencing.

On the other hand, there is no technical people in the district to do geo-tagging the saplings. The field assistants required technical data to install geo-tagging. Various nurseries including private ones supplied lakhs of plants to the programme and they had not been paid the bills so far. Though the government is making tall claims on the programme and is not showing much interest in releasing the funds to it.

An official said, “Two months time will be taken to complete geo-tagging and fencing to these saplings,” adding that the government should allocate funds and extend technical support to fulfil the task.