Ex-DFO turns barren land into sandalwood haven

NELAPOGULA (Warangal): It’s a green revolution of sorts in the arid regions of Warangal district. A retired forest officer proved farming experts and agriculture scientists wrong by turning a barren land into a green zone with his reforesting concept. What more, he has grown 1,000-odd sandalwood trees in four acres of waste land in Nelapogula, a small village in Lingala Ghanapuram mandal.

Sandalwood trees are grown only in the Satyamangalam reserve forest area in Tamil Nadu and some forest tracts in Chittoor district in AP. But 82-year-old C Jagannadha Reddy, a former DFO, has succeeded in venturing into the area where others fear to tread. He has proved that sandalwood trees could be grown even in wasteland by following tissue culture method.

Using all his experience in the forest tracts, Reddy started planting sandalwood saplings in the village eight years ago. “In another seven years, the trees would be fully grown and start yielding,” he said. The trees are already towering at a height of 10-2 ft.

Apart from taking up plantation of sandalwood trees, the 82-year-old retired officer is growing teakwood, eucalyptus and subabul plants in another four acres of wasteland in the village, 75 km from Warangal. With the help of a few farm workers, Reddy spends much of his time in his field tending to the plants. “I implemented reforesting methods as used in the water bodies for ensuring the growth of sandalwood plants,” he said. Water is available 24 hours for sandalwood plants.

A kilo sandalwood costs as much as Rs 5,000. Used extensively in the making of perfumes and incense sticks, Reddy said the sandalwood tree plantation could be a rewarding experience for unemployed youths and distressed farmers. He said the dry land farmers could take up plantation of eucalyptus and subabul trees for their economic growth. “If teakwood is not available, people opt for subabul which also fetches a good price in the market,” he said.

Reddy suggested to the government that it take up plantation of sandalwood trees under NREGS for the benefit of rural youth. When he was DFO of Nalgonda, Reddy implemented the social forestry scheme in the drought-prone areas. Jagannadha Reddy, who spends 18-20 hours in his field, swears by trees and plants. Little wonder, locals call him `Vana Premikudu’ or ‘Vanam’ Reddy.