Hyderabad: HMDA is not only developing the infrastructure facilities for the urbanites in HMDA area, but also developing the urban green lung spaces in its areas. As per Government order, HMDA is developing 16 Forest clusters as “Urban Lung Spaces/ Urban Parks” in the HMDA limits over an area of 5963.27 Ha, for the benefit of local people by developing them on the lines of KBR Park, securing it with see through wall / chain link fence, providing path ways, cycling track and other visitor amenities etc., besides improving the vegetation.
Today, the Commissioner, HMDA has convened a meeting with the EPTRI consultants and retired senior Forest officers like S.D Mukherjee, IFS (Retd), Advisor, EPTRI & Head, ESD and Dr. Manoranjan Bhanja, IFS (Rtd), Advisor EPTRI, both retired as Prl. Chief Conservator of Forests and who are monitoring the development of these Forest blocks as per the directions of the Chief Secretary, TS
HMDA is proposing to develop each of the Forest block in two zones; Conservation zone of around 80% to 85% of total area, where in, Forest Protection, Soil & moisture conservation works will be taken up to promote natural & artificial regeneration, and Visitors zone of 15% to 20% of the area to provide Parking area, Entry Plaza , Pathways, Theme parks, Gazebos, Visitor amenities like washrooms, drinking water facilities, seating etc., and Nature interpretation shed etc.
DPRs have been prepared for each cluster and the total amount required is Rs.99.50 Crores for 16 Urban Forest Blocks. Engineering wing of HMDA has called for tenders for development of see through wall for all 16 clusters in 5 packages. Designs of gate arch ways have been prepared for 16 Blocks and tenders are being invited. Path ways work and construction of Gazebo work will be taken up in visitors zone of all the Blocks.
S.D.Mukherji, and Dr. Manoranjan Bhanja, have explained with the help of power point presentation about the details of Basic data collection and Monitoring matrix for development of urban parks in HMDA limit. The Metropolitan Comissioner, HMDA has agreed to release some advance as per the request of EPTRI and requested the EPTRI to start the work for collection of base line data and monitoring the development of Forest Clusters into urban forest park
The Metropolitan Commissioner, HMDA has requested S.D.Mukherji, and Dr. Manoranjan Bhanji, to guide the HMDA Urban Forestry staff in the development of Forest blocks by having periodical meetings and discussions.(NSS)
