The Urban Forestry Wing was created by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (previously known as HUDA) in 1986 with the objective of bringing open spaces under greenery by raising different types of plantation models like block plantation, avenue plantation, tree parks, colony parks and gardens to improve the overall environment of Hyderabad for better quality life. 

The prime Objectives of the Urban Greening Programming are:

• Greening the HMDA area to reduce air, noise and water pollution.
• Conversion of unproductive lands into greenery to provide gainful employment.
• Increase the availability of firewood and fodder to local villagers.
• Income generation for women groups through Nursery raising activity.

TKHH advocates raising of plantations in all sectors and vacant lands of Hyderabad city. All Public roadside areas are planted with Multi-Layer Avenue plantations which give shade and aesthetic appeal to the commuters, protect the environment by controlling air, noise, and water pollution, and protect citizens from ill-health conditions. 111 Urban open/lung spaces are developed with vegetation. Citizens can utilize them to rejuvenate themselves from the stress incurred from the hustle and bustle of city life. All colonies/ Streets are planted with avenue and ornamental plants.

Seedlings are raised in more than 600 nurseries in the core city area (additional matching number of nurseries in outskirts of the city), which are made available to the public. The Urban lung spaces are designated as recreation areas and environmental education centres.

The public preference to reside near Urban Lung spaces has created new business opportunities. The Sanjeevaiah Park, NTR Gardens, Hussain Sagar Tank bund, Melkote Park, Vanasthalipuram Park, etc., are business centres for eateries, recreation activities, etc.

Through massive plantings in the open spaces of the residential colonies, the demarcation of these open spaces and the construction of walls around them, a permanent solution was found to protect the land from illegal encroachments and littering while increasing green cover. 976 landscape parks and 406 tree parks in core city area were protected in this manner.

Some specific details:

• Roadside Multi Layered Avenue plantations - length 881.5 Km, 37,27,805 No’s.
• Greenery on Road Central Median - length 406.50 Km, 47,03,241 No’s.
• Tank bund plantation No. of. Lakes - 24, No. of. Plants 32,00,000 No’s.
• Urban Parks 1087 No’s.
• Urban Forest area Block Plantations 5928.38Ha, No. of. Plants 30,00,000No’s.
• Colony/Street Plantations - 56,25,857 No’s.
• Institutional Plantations - No. of. Plants 155,00,000No’s.
• Vertical Garden - 12 No’s.
• Block Plantations - 250Ha along ORR
• Landscape Gardens - 12.5 Ha.
• Rain Garden – 7 No’s & No. of plants 7,00,000 No’s.

Hyderabad is a Mega City of 10 million people and one of the fastest growing metropolises in India. The City is managed by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in the core area comprising 650 sq. km. and by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) beyond GHMC limits with an area of 7,257 Sq. Kms. HMDA and the Government of Telangana are the lead agencies for the TKKH project.

Due to intensive plantations raised in Hyderabad city over last 6 years, the environment has improved considerably. Annual cumulative rainfall (mm) from 01/06/2021 to 11/03/2022 Actual – 6958.7; Normal - 5255.6; Deviation (%) - 232 of Hyderabad City limits (HMDA area) is far higher than that of the State Cumulative Rainfall (mm) Actual – 1138.5; Normal - 861.2; Deviation (%) - 32. Improvements are seen in ground water level and abatement of air, noise pollution.

The resident associations of the city have raised plantations at their homesteads & residential colonies adopting 760 colony parks and taking on responsibility for their maintenance. A significant increase in the green cover by 48.66 Sq. Kms. was noticed, as per the FSI report- i.e., from 33.15 Sq. Kms in 2011 to 81.81 Sq. Kms in 2021. Importantly, the aim is to educate young people about climate action and the environment through this leading initiative.

Hyderabad is the only city in India to have been recognized with Tree Cities of the World for the year 2020 for its commitment to growing and maintaining Urban Forests.

Hyderabad has around 1,350 lakes occupying an area of 2,000 ha. in the core area and around 3000 lakes in the HMDA area with total area of more than 32,250 ha. Lake Hussain Sagar is the World’s largest heart shaped lake and was officially declared as the “Heart of the World” by the United Nations World Tourism Organization on 27th September 2012 - World Tourism Day.

Increased urbanization and industrialization have had a negative impact on ecosystems and the environment.  Data from 2018 recorded that there were over 5.3 million motor vehicles operating in the city and deaths resulting from atmosphere particulars matter was estimated between 1700 to 3000 each year. The vegetation status recorded in 2011-2012 was about 11% of the area. Hence it was decided to increase green cover to improve the environment of Hyderabad city.

The greenery developed in Hyderabad city has become a benchmark for other cities. Officials from Varanasi Town, Uttar Pradesh state – the constituency of The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India visited Hyderabad on 02.12.2021.  The Principal Conservator of Forests (Greenery Chief) of different states of India visited on 26.02.2022.

TKHH is the largest afforestation program in India, with the aim of establishing 2,3 billion saplings through plantation & rejuvenation, which makes it the 3rd largest program in the world after Brazil and China. Telangana State and Hyderabad City have become a role model for other cities to adopt innovative methods of tree plantations such as those deployed in the Yadadri National Forest Model, as well as through Multi-Layer Avenue Plantations.