TTD EO LAUNCHES SRIGANDHAM PLANTATION PROJECT

TIRUMALA, NOV 24:  TTD EO Sri MG Gopal on Sunday formally launched the Rs.8cr Sri Gandham plantation project by planting the sandal wood plants in a sprawling 30 acres of land located near Paruveta Mandapam in Tirumala.

Addressing media persons on the occasion, he said, Sandalwood happens to be one of the most important ingredients that is frequently used in various kainkaryams of Lord. To overcome the shortage of sandalwood keeping in view its demand in future, TTD has decided to grow about 13,300 plants which will yield around 150 tonnes of Sri Gandham in the next two decades which will not only suffice the needs of Tirumala temple but also other sub-shrines under the control of TTD”, he added.

Meanwhile Sandalwood scientifically popular by name Santalum album is a hemi-parasite and is dependent on other host plants for growth. TTD has brought about 2500 rose wood trees and 800 Egisa plants as hosts from Rajamundry Research Centre on free of cost for the noble purpose. While TTD has purchased around 13,300 sandalwood plants at a cost of Rs.20 each from Bangalore Research Centre.

Tirumala JEO Sri KS Sreenivasa Raju, SE II Sri Ramesh Reddy, Temple Deputy EO Sri C Ramana, TTD DRO Sri Venkataswamy, Additional CVSO Sri Sivakumar Reddy and others were also present.

ISSUED BY PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, TTD, TIRUPATI