The southern Indian state of Telangana plans to boost its tree cover by nearly 8 per cent over the next 3 years.

According to an article on ITV News, the government hopes to have 130 crore* seedlings planted outside forest areas and another 120 crore plants regenerated in forests.

Outside forests, the program will focus on agroforestry, avenue plantations, afforestation of barren hills, institutional and homestead plantations and waterways.

If successful, the program will increase tree cover in the state from 25.16 per cent to 33 per cent.

The tree planting efforts will be complemented by “rejuvenation of degraded forests, more effective protection of forests against smuggling, encroachment, fire, grazing and intensive soil and moisture conservation measures both inside and outside forest,” says the article.

The government is currently in the process of identifying nurseries and sites for raising plantations.

Read the full story: Telangana to add 230-cr plants, boost tree cover by 8 percent

*1 crore = 10 million