Muttamsetti exhorts students to protect plants

Visakhapatnam: Tourism Minister Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao has announced that the government will plant one crore saplings in the next five years. Participating in the 70th Vana Mahosavam at Dr YVS Murthi Auditorium, Andhra University College of Engineering (AUCE) here on Saturday, he said the government has taken up the prestigious task of planting 20 lakh saplings every year to achieve the target in the next five years.

He planted a sapling at AUCE hostel complex along with VMRDA Chairman Dronamraju Srinivasa Rao, Visakhapatnam East MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu, Gajuwaka MLA Tippala Nagi Reddy, among others.

Later, speaking at a programme, Srinivasa Rao said the government would also take up the responsibility of maintaining the saplings for certain period with an idea of providing green ambience to the next generation.

He laid emphasis on dedicating a day in a month to plant saplings. He said every student should take the responsibility of making the district a better place to live in. Joint Collector L Siva Sankar was also present.