‘NTR vision made Tirumala green’

Chittoor: Due to vision of former Chief NT Rama Rao, Tirumala has turned into a best greenery spot in the country, said Industries Minister N Amaranatha Reddy. The Minister participated as a chief guest for the inaugural function of Vanam Manam programme held at Deer Park here on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, Amaranatha Reddy has said trees are important for human survival and controlling the environmental hazards. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is committed for improving the forest cover in the state by involving officials, people’s representatives, social workers and students, he said, adding it is the responsibility of all sections of the society to plant saplings for increasing green cover.

The Minister further said that removal of trees for road expansion is inevitable while stressing on the need for planting more tree saplings on either side of the roads. He exhorted students to take active role in planting of tree saplings while giving equal importance for their survival. The Minister gave a call to the educational institutions to involve students in planting saplings for improving greenery.

District Collector P S Pradyumna declared that 1.5 crore tree saplings would be distributed in the district for planting them in 90,000 hectares. ZP Chairperson Girvani, Mayor K Hemalatha, MLC B N Rajasimhulu, TDP district president P Nani, forest officials and others were present. Later, the Minister presented the appreciation letters for the winners in the elocution and essay writing competitions on forest development.