Forest dept should play key role: Minister

Phase III of Harita Haram

​Karimnagar: The forest department must play the role of a big brother in implementing the government’s prestigious programme ‘Telangana ku Harita Haram’ successfully in the district, Forest Minister Jogu Ramanna advised the officials at a meeting at the Collectorate conference hall here on Monday.

He along with Finance Minister Eatala Rajender chaired a meeting on the implementation of third phase of Harita Haram in the district , which would be inaugurated by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on July 12.

The minister expressed their ire on the officials, who didn’t turn up at the meeting on time and asked them explanation for coming late to the meeting despite they were informed about the meeting well in advance and for their negligent behaviour.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Jogu Ramanna said that the officials of various departments must coordinate with each other for the successful implementation of the third phase programme in the district.

Out of the set target of planting of 230 crore saplings, the forest department must plant as many as 100 crores, he said.

The officials were ordered to make all necessary arrangements for planting one lakh saplings in one day under city municipal limits by involving all sections of people to make the programme a grand success. The Minister also told them to take steps for protecting the planted saplings.

It is the responsibility of the headmasters of all schools to protect the saplings planted in educational institutions. Funds will be released under National Employment Guarantee Scheme (NGES) for protecting the planted saplings and for their maintenance but the officials of education department are not in a mood to utilise the funds, he pointed out.

Finance Minister Eatala Rajender said that the third phase of Harita Haram programme is going to be implemented on a grand note this year. With the past experiences, the people’s representatives in coordination with the officials of various departments must participate actively in the programme to make it a success along with taking steps to protect the planted saplings.

“It is not important how many saplings are planted this time, but how many of them survived and are growing healthy is important,” Rajender said.

Husnabad MLA Satish, MLC Naradasu Lakshman Rao, District Collector Sarfaraz Ahmed, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest department P K Raghu, City Mayor Ravinder Singh, City Municipal Commissioner Shashank, Haritha Haram Special Officer Anjaneyulu, Rural Development Officer Venkateshwar Rao and District Panchayat Officer Narayana Rao were present along with others.