TTD PLANS TO OFFER SANDALWOOD PLANTS TO FARMERS

25LAKHS RED SANDER PLANTATIONS BY 2016-TTD EO

TTD FOREST DEPARTMENT MULLS “RAASI VANAM”

TIRUMALA, SEPTEMBER 9: The temple management of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is all set to take up yet another mammoth task of growing 25 lakh saplings of Redsanders by 2016 and the TTD EO Dr D Sambasiva Rao has asked the Deputy Conservator of Forests of TTD Sri Sivaramprasad to chalk out an action plan soon.

The TTD EO paved a visit to Redsanders and Sandalwood plantation land in Tirumala on Wednesday. As a part of the visit the EO inspected the sandal wood plantation started by TTD during last year in the spacious land located near Paruveta Mandapam. Later he also visited the Redsanders nursery near GNC Toll Gate and also visited the medicinal plants nursery.

Later speaking to media persons, he said of the 7500 acres of TTD Forest located in Seshachalam Ranges, TTD is contemplating to grow Redsanders in 250acres and Sandalwood plantation in another 250 acres of land. “Our aim is to see that there is no dearth in sandalwood as it happens to be a very important ingredient in the daily rituals of Lord Venkateswara and we want to be self-sufficient. We are also planning to provide sandalwood saplings to farmers to enhance the sandalwood plantation as the species generated here are the best in its quality. We are also planning to develop the Zodiac Garden in Tirumala”, he observed.

Later TTD DCF Sri Sivaramprasad said, this year already ten lakhs redsanders and 10 thousands sandalwood saplings were planted. “As per the instructions of TTD EO, we will soon take up the “Zodiac Garden”- also called “Raasi Vanam” in Paruveta Mandapam area. Here we plant the trees which are auspicious to each sign of Zodiac and also 27 different plants implying each Star in the constellation in “Naksha Vanam”, he maintained.