Central DG of Forests lauds TS programmes on greenery, water

Hyderabad: The Central Director General of Forests Siddhanth Das has hailed the programmes launched by the Telangana Government in increasing the green cover and better utilisation of the river waters and described the programmes as role model for others to emulate.

He said trees would grow where there is water; where there are trees, there will be rains and this is how the bond between water and trees exists which can never be separated. He congratulated the Telangana Government for realising this truth and implementing programmes like Haritha Haram and programmes for comprehensive utilisation of water. Siddarth Das met Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao at Pragati Bhavan on Saturday. A discussion ensued between the two on the irrigation projects and programmes aimed at increasing the green cover.

The CM explained to him how within a week of assuming the office, the government had initiated programmes for revival of the forests and encouraging the social forestry.

Through Haritha Haram programme, it is planned to grow 230 crore saplings across the State. He said, `there are 4,000 plant nurseries in the State as on date and by next year, every village Panchayat will have one nursery. To create awareness among the next generation, Haritha Haram will be introduced in the school texts from the next year.

The Chief Minister said though River Krishna and Godavari flow on either side of the State, there were no projects to utilise the water and hence the Telangana government has embarked upon constructing major projects. He said under Mission Kakatiya programme, 46,000 tanks were being revived.

Due to this there will be an increase in moisture in the climate and increase in the levels of the ground water, the CM said and sought the help from the Centre to these initiatives.

Ministers T Harish Rao and Jogu Ramanna and Deputy Speaker Padma Devender Reddy were also present.