JOIN USEvery taluk to get a model green village
The Forest Department is planning to develop a model “green village” in every taluk of Karnataka.
In each of the selected villages, the plan is to develop a 35-hectare dedicated nursery for growing flowers, fruits, vegetable saplings and medical plants among others. Encouragement for generating power through renewable energy and imparting training for local villagers in rainwater harvesting and vermicomposting is also on the cards.
Aims and guidelines for the programme called ‘Talukige Ondu Hasiru Grama’ (One green village in every taluk) were notified on October 15. According to officials in the Forest Department, Rs 82.92 crore has been earmarked for the project which will be spread over the next five years.
To start with, five villages will be selected for the project. A two-pronged strategy will be put in the villages: educational-cum-awareness initiatives for the villages on environment and field work.
Training programmes on organic farming, rainwater harvesting, composting from home and kitchen wastes will be provided to the villagers under the project. Use of renewable energy, particularly solar power and bio-gas, will be promoted in the villages. According to the programme guidelines, existing street lamps in the villages will be replaced and they will be powered by photo-voltaic panels.
The saplings grown in the nurseries will be given to families in the villages as per the requirement of each household. Trust will be provided for growing medicinal plants in the backyard of every home. The entire project will be implementing in co-ordination with Ayush, Horticulture, Watershed Development departments and in association with the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL).