DRDA gears up to make Haritha Haram a grand success

Khammam: The District Rural Development Authority (DRDA) conducted a programme here at the Ambedkar Bhavan on Monday on the theme of ‘Each Panchayat -One Nursery.’ Officials deliberated on ways and means to make the fourth phase of the State government’s prestigious green mission - Haritha Haram - a grand success in the district.

A team consisting of 10 members was formed for training from Khammam district. These 10 members will conduct induction programmes at mandal level. Mandal Development Officers will have to oversee the planting of saplings as part of the programme in their respective mandals. 

Speaking on occasion, M L C Pongulati Sudhaker Reddy said according to the national forest policy, minimum 33 percent of the total geographical area should be under forest cover to maintain environmental stability and ecological balance.

He said it was imperative to sustain all forms of life – humans animals and plants and only trees could do it. Quoting the famous Sanskrit saying ‘Vriksho Rakshati Rakshita’, he said if people saved trees, the trees would save them in return. The Haritha Haram programme was not just a government scheme, but it was a programme of all people, social organisations and political parties, he pointed out.

Speaking on the occasion, Khammam MLA Puvvada Ajay Kumar appreciated the Project Director for taking up the programme for 2019. He reminded that according to the Panchayat Raj Act - 2018, there will be involvement of all villages in the programme.

He said so many trees were felled in the united Andhra Pradesh illegally in the name of development. Due to massive deforestations, pollution level had increased enormously. “All’s well that ends well. Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao wants every house to have at least six trees. They should be treated as family members,” Ajay Kumar said.

Khammam Mayor Gugulotu Papalal said a survey would be taken to check how many plants survived in the last three phases of the programme.  ZP Chairperson Gadipally Kavitha said if sapling were planted in the beginning of the rainy season, there was greater chances for their survival and added that if nature was neglected, not only human beings, but also animals would suffer in the future. 

Farmers’ Coordination Committee district Chairman Nallamalla Venkateshwerlu, DRDO Project Director B Indumathi and other officials took part in the programme.