Saplings planting to be promoted in big way

Chittoor: District Collector P S Pradyumna said that planting trees will be taken up on a large scale in educational institutions and public places.

The Collector panth Nagar here on Saturday, as part of Vanam Manam programme. Speaking to the media, Pradyumna stated that the instructions were given to contractors to plant trees on either side of the roads in urban and rural areas.

“Bills for contractors will be paid only after raising the trees,” he said. Stressing on the need to improve green cover, the Collector gave a call for mass plantation drive with the active participation of people, voluntary organisations and the Forest department. The district is aiming at planting 1 crore trees under Vanam Manam programme.

“Environmental balance can be maintained by planting trees. We will make tree planting mandatory to protect the nature,” he added. The Collector instructed the District Educational Officer (DEO) to involve all the students of government and private schools in mass plantation programme.

He felt that the Forest department should keep a special watch on the survival of the trees. City Mayor K Hemalatha said that she gave instructions to the officials concerned to plant trees in the vacant government lands. She urged the teachers to create awareness among the students about the importance of trees.