25 crore saplings to be planted in State before March end

Guntur: Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy announced that the APSRTC will induct 1,000 electric buses very soon to check environment pollution and subsequently replace remaining 9,000 buses with new electric buses.

Jagan launched 70th Vana Mahotsavam programme at Dokiparru village in Medikonduru mandal of Tadikonda Assembly constituency in Guntur district on Saturday and planted saplings. The Chief Minister said that the government would revamp the public transport system.

He said the government was replacing old buses with electric buses to check pollution. Pointing out that the current forest cover in the State is 23 per cent, Jagan said that it should be taken to 33 per cent. He said every individual should plant three to four saplings to increase the green cover.

The Chief Minister said that a target had been set to plant 25 crore saplings in the State by March 2020. As many as one crore saplings were planted in the State on Saturday. Village volunteers would distribute saplings to every household. The saplings should be planted in government offices, schools, colleges and universities.

Jagan said the strength of tigers in the State had gone up from 42 to 48. He said that the government would soon bring a new industrial policy. Under the policy, every industry should get permission from the Pollution Control Board. The government will introduce Green Tax. The Chief Minister distributed latest guns to forest beat officers on the occasion.

Minister for Forests Balineni Srinivasa Reddy, Home Minister Mekathoti Sucharita,

Minister for Agriculture Marketing Mopidevi Venkata Ramana Rao, YSRCP floor leader in the State Legislative Council Ummareddy Venkateswarulu, MP Lavu Sri Krishnadevarayalu, MLAs Kilari Rosaiah, Malladi Vishnu, Undavalli Sridevi. Alla Rama Krishna Reddy, Pinnelli Rama Krishna Reddy, Gopireddy Srinivasa Reddy, Vidadala Rajini and Bolla Brahma Naidu were among those present.