Introduction

Established in the year 1986, the Urban Forestry Wing of the HMDA (erstwhile HUDA) implements the expansion of green cover in the State of Telangana by applying various plantation models and best practices to restore ecological balance in the State. Instrumental in the maintenance and development of lung spaces in and around Hyderabad, the Urban Forestry wing functions to develop greenery in areas under HMDA jurisdiction to reduce air, noise, and water pollution. A Government of Telangana initiative that puts sustainability in the spotlight, Telangana Ku Haritha Haram (TKHH) adapts urban plantation at the community level to aid aesthetics, environment, and citizen health. Large-scale plantation drives such as TKHH not only addresses concerns of sustainability, eco-conservation, and reforestation against the backdrop of developing infrastructure in the city, but they also retain environmental consciousness. Unproductive lands have been turned into lush lung spaces, and the establishment of nursery units to aid plantation drives has generated employment opportunities for women groups at the community levels.

From the year 2015, the Urban Forestry wing of HMDA has planted over 117.93 lakh, and an additional 47.30 lakh trees have been planted in the HMDA layouts. Besides this, the HMDA has also distributed 325 lakh seedlings to various organisations as part of TKHH. The HMDA has also created smart gardens and parks in several urban pockets to offset carbon emissions in the city.