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Tirumala Hills to Become 'Carbon-Positive' Oasis in Decade-Long Greening Mission
2 Nov
Summary
- TTD plans to enhance Tirumala forest cover from 89.4% to 45% 'dense forest'
- Invasive species to be replaced with 250 native tree varieties
- Carbon capture capacity to increase from 10,019 to 13,500 tonnes
In a significant move, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has embarked on an ambitious mission to turn the Tirumala hills into a 'carbon-positive' area within the next decade. The plan, approved by the TTD Trust Board, aims to enhance the overall forest cover in the 2,719-hectare Tirumala forest, which is part of the biodiversity-rich Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve.
By 2035, the TTD intends to increase the 'dense forest cover' from the current 32% to 45%, according to TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal. This will be achieved by replacing the existing invasive species, such as Acacia auriculiformis and Senna spectabilis, with 250 native tree varieties, including banyan, peepal, champak, and Indian gooseberry.
The project's other key objective is to boost the region's carbon capture capacity from the current 10,019 tonnes to 13,500 tonnes. This greening initiative is expected to transform the Tirumala hills into a true oasis, showcasing the TTD's commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability.
