Officials put on action mode ahead of Haritha Haram programme

​Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao is all set to launch the fourth phase of the State government’s prestigious Haritha Haram programme in Jayashankar-Bhupalapally district very soon. 

Addressing a video conference of District Collectors and Heads of Departments on Haritha Haram, land acquisition and other issues from Secretariat here on Tuesday, Chief Secretary S K Joshi asked them to make better arrangements for expanding greenery as per the directive of the Chief Minister. 

Joshi exhorted the Collectors and officials in all districts to make the Haritha Haram programme a grand success by taking up the green drive in all localities. “This is very important and needed for the people to have better environment in the wake of good rainfall in the State,” he said. 

He also called upon the district administrations to gear up for the prestigious round of green drive by involving local leaders, people and students as well and make it a people’s programme. The officials should be prepared for the programme as the Chief Minister wanted to plant 100 crore saplings next year, he informed. 

He also asked the officials to create awareness among students at all levels and involve educational institutes in the green drive. He directed them to find places to ensure that nurseries are grown in every village and municipality by active participation of local leaders and officials.

Asking them to make all available funds as the Centre would soon be releasing funds for construction of public toilets in all villages, the Chief Secretary urged them to make the villages open defecation-free by October 2 and ensure that Swachh Telangana was implemented in letter and spirit. 

Since the government was committed for expanding greenery, it should be successful with active participation of people, leaders, officials and students, Joshi said. He also directed the officials to conduct essay writing and elocution competitions for students by giving them five saplings of fruits, flowers and shades and involve them to protect by timely watering besides going in for avenue plantation and on highways, approach roads and other roads. 

“Give priority to forest lands and ensure that plants that yield fruits and eaten by monkeys be planted as part of the programme and see that Smrithi Vanams are set up in the name of noted people locally,” he said. He also asked them to make sure that the plantation would not disturb Mission Bhagiratha works as pipelines laying works were going on in swift pace.