Thursday , March 28 2024

Develop forest blocks, tourism at ORR: KTR

Hyderabad,  Municipal Administration Minister K T Rama Rao today directed the officials concerned to prepare an action plan to develop forest blocks and promotion of tourism in a big way under Outer Ring Road (ORR) purview.

The minister held a high-level review meeting on forest blocks development at the Secretariat with Chief Secretary SK Joshi and other officials. He asked the officials to develop urban lung spaces on the Outer Ring Road with greenery and wide varieties of plants. The GHMC, HMDA and other departments should coordinate in the development of forest blocks as per the directions of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, he said.

KTR said, “Focus should be on protecting forest lands and to develop parks near ORR as part of Haritha Haram project enabling the families to enjoy their pastime. Appreciating the Haritha Haram scheme for successful conduct of plantation drive, KTR said a walk-way should be constructed on the Musi River front on the lines of KBR Park. He also said in the wake of rapid urbanization, the plan should cater to the needs of growing population, who should find healthy and hilarious environment in their surroundings”, he added.

The minister said the plan should comprise details pertaining to development of wellness tourism, medicinal tourism, destination tourism and eco-tourism around the city. “Set up mile stones and take up time-bound programs for development of forest zones on the ORR and try to get funds from voluntary organizations and corporate companies”, he told officials.

The minister also suggested a project monitoring unit with a nodal officer and GHMC and HMDA should play a key role. The officials should involve citizens and walkers associations for parks development and local bodies for avenue plantation, he said, adding that a 10-km stretch from the Outer Ring Road should be developed with greenery comprising colourful plants and develop parks by clearing the quarries of mining zones. He also asked the officials to develop tourism sites at the heritage rocks.

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