Five free saplings to one lakh families

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The Telangana government is launching Vanamahotsavam-2026 across the State with a focus on expanding green cover, mitigating climate change, conserving groundwater and protecting biodiversity. The campaign aims to encourage large-scale public participation.

To promote greenery in Hyderabad, the HMDA Urban Forest Department will distribute five free saplings—including fruit-bearing and ornamental plants—to each household through 44 nurseries. The programme targets one lakh families this year.

The initiative comes amid Hyderabad's rapid urbanisation, shrinking green cover, rising concerns over chemically grown food and increasing lifestyle-related diseases. The city has around 22 lakh families.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every person should consume about 200 grams of fruits and 300 grams of vegetables daily. Hyderabad requires nearly 6.3 lakh tonnes of fruits and vegetables annually, making home gardening an affordable way to improve nutrition and reduce household expenses.

The government is encouraging residents to grow fruits, vegetables, medicinal and ornamental plants in home, kitchen and terrace gardens.

The campaign is being promoted under the slogan: "A Fruit Plant in Every Home – Nutrition for Every Family, Greenery for Every City."

The government has appealed to NGOs, Rotary and Lions Clubs, welfare associations and citizens to join the initiative and help make it a people's movement for a greener Hyderabad.