HDMC to nurture 5 forests in twin cities

HUBBALLI: Thousands of trees will be grown to increase the green cover in Hubballi-Dharwad.
In order to grow a maximum number of trees in less space, the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has decided to grow five urban forests in the twin cities, by adopting the Miyawaki forestry method.
Soon, saplings will be planted at various places across the twin cities.
To have a systematic approach to grow a large number of trees, the HDMC has taken steps to develop thick urban forests, three of which will come up in Dharwad and two in Hubballli. Preparations are being made to plant up to 10,000 saplings, on an acre, at each place.
The HDMC has already selected four places in public park areas, and has started preparations for levelling the land and fencing the area. A total 40,000 saplings of different types of trees will be planted at Doddanayakanakoppa, Shambhavi Colony, Raghavendra Colony in Dharwad, and near Tolanakere in Hubballi.
HDMC commissioner Suresh Itnal said that preparations have been made for fencing, drilling borewells and other necessary activities at the earmarked areas, for the urban forests. More than 3,000 saplings have been provided by the forest department, and the rest will be purchased from nurseries and the horticulture department.
At Tolanakere, two plots of land have been earmarked for the urban forests, and they have been fenced. Of the two acres, four equal parts will be divided for an urban forest, herbal medicine park, tree park and a play and rest zone, for which around Rs 1.5 crore will be spent, including for lighting and other amenities. In the rest of the three areas earmarked for urban forests in Dharwad on half-an-acre, urban forests will be developed. These lung spaces are being developed at a time when the necessity of oxygen has been painfully brought home.
Urban forests having a variety of native species, including fruit-bearing trees, creepers and herbs will come up on an acre at each place. Nature First Eco-village will maintain them in Dharwad, and Rotary Club of Hubballi will maintain the one near Tolanakere in Hubballi, for a year. The HDMC will maintain them for the next two years, he added.