
Shelterbelt plantation taken up at VMRDA Park in Visakhapatnam
The Hindu
Shelterbelt plantation taken up at VMRDA Park in Visakhapatnam
A shelterbelt plantation has been taken up at the VMRDA park here on Wednesday in the presence of local MLAs and environmentalists along with District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad, VMRDA Commissioner K.S. Viswanathan among others. Visakhapatnam East MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu, and VMRDA Chairman Pranav Gopal were present.
Around 1,200 saplings of six species Ganga Ravi, Sarugudu (coastl she-oak), Badam (almond), Raavi (sacred fig), Marri (banyan) and Kobbari (coconut) were planted in the area of 1.5 acres.
Mr. Harendhira Prasad said that the shelterbelt plantation is a concept of a row of trees or shrubs planted to reduce wind speed and protect crops and livestock. Shelterbelts can also help prevent soil erosion, improve habitat and capture snow as well.
Mr. Viswanathan said that the similar plantation would be taken up across the coastal areas in the city in a phased manner.

“Earth Day celebrations have already started in Bengaluru, with campaigns at various colleges such as St. Josephs, and Christ University where life-size elephants made from the invasive species, Lantana Camera, have been travelling to spread the message of conservation and coexistence, along with expert talks from WWF India and Ravi Chellam of Metastring Foundation,” said the release.

Vijayawada and Vizag metro rails: Centre approves appointment of SYSTRA MVA Consulting for preparing mobility plans. The New Delhi-based consultant has emerged as the successful bidder for preparing CMPs for both the projects. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has sanctioned DPRs for construction of the Visakhapatnam Metro Rail for a length of 46.23 km in three corridors at an estimated cost of ₹11,498 crore and the Vijayawada Metro Rail for a length of 38.40 km in two corridors at a cost of ₹11,009 crore.