The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has initiated a monumental decade-long environmental project (2025-2035) to transform the 2,719-hectare Tirumala forest. This pristine area, a vital part of the biodiverse Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, is set to become entirely green and a ‘carbon-positive’ zone.
Endorsed by the TTD Trust Board under Chairman B.R. Naidu, this comprehensive action plan aims to significantly boost the forest cover, currently at 89.4% as per the Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR-2023).
Beyond simply adding greenery, a core objective of the project is to replace non-native plant species with indigenous flora. The first step involves a detailed baseline survey to meticulously assess existing biodiversity and identify the prevalence of invasive and exotic plants.
Currently, about 576 hectares are dominated by invasive species like ‘Acacia auriculiformis’ and ‘Senna spectabilis’, which have stifled the growth of local vegetation. These harmful species will be systematically removed and replaced with native flora, expanding the variety of indigenous trees from 120 to 250 species.
The replanting effort will focus on a diverse range of native trees. This includes canopy-forming giants such as banyan, peepal, and cluster fig; vibrant flowering trees like ‘champak’, ‘parijata’, and golden shower; and fruit-bearing varieties such as ‘jamun’, Indian gooseberry (usiri), and ‘bibhitaki’.
Additionally, extensive tracts will be dedicated to medicinal plants like ‘nannari’, ‘sarpagandha’, and ‘tulasi’, aiming to restore the natural, sacred ambiance of the hills.
According to TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal, these efforts are projected to increase the ‘dense forest cover’ from the current 32% to an impressive 45%. Furthermore, the region’s carbon capture capacity is expected to rise substantially, from 10,019 tonnes to 13,500 tonnes, marking a significant stride towards ecological sustainability.