Bhatehad Basa to flourish with 6K fruit plants

A large-scale plantation drive has commenced in Bhatehad Basa, Dehra, under the HP Shiva Project of the Horticulture Department, Himachal Pradesh. Led by Deputy Director Dr Kamalsheel Negi, the initiative aims to plant 6,810 orange (Malta) and seasonal fruit plants over 7.5 hectares of land.

During the inauguration, 33 saplings were planted, while the first phase has seen the arrival of 500 plants, scheduled to be planted within the next 15 days. The project is set to benefit 18 farmers, with 6,810 pits already dug for plantation.

To ensure efficient irrigation, a pump house and two water storage tanks have been constructed — one with a 1.5 lakh litre capacity for supply and a 1 lakh litre modular tank. These will support drip irrigation, and solar fencing has been completed to protect the plantation.

The event was attended by Deputy Director Dr Kamalsheel Negi, Subject Matter Expert Dr Vivek Garg, Horticulture Development Officer Dr Aarti, District Coordinator Shiva Project Neeraj, Cluster In-charge Aarti Dhiman, District Coordinator Vinod Kumar, Pradhan Mathura Das, Up-Pradhan Suman Singh, along with several beneficiaries.

Similar plantations are planned for Bhatoli Fakoriyan in Dehra Block, Jakhota, Dhanont, and Lalwara under Jwalaji, as well as Chamba Khas and Kuhna clusters in Pragpur. Once fully implemented, the Dehra region in Kangra district will be covered with orange and seasonal fruit plants across 500 hectares under the HP Shiva Project.