Protect environment

Hanamkonda: Tree plantation is the only resort to create a better environment for future generations and to make the world greener and livable, Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari said.

Taking part in Haritha Haram programme along with the walkers at the Arts and Science College Grounds here on Monday, he said that the ultimate aim of the government was to increase the green cover from 23 per cent to 33 per cent in the State.

“The credit goes to Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, the brainchild behind the Haritha Haram programme, as nowhere in the country such a massive plantation programme has been taken up,” Srihari said.

The overall plan is to plant 230 crores of saplings and of which so far 120 crore saplings have been planted, Srihari said, pointing to the government’s endeavour.

The government has already laid a walking track in the Arts College Grounds with an estimated cost of Rs 20 lakh and alongside the track four rows of flowering trees have been planted to provide shade to walkers, he said.

Efforts are also on to promote plantation drive through Haritha Patashala in schools and colleges this year, Srihari said, appealing to people to cooperate to make the green drive a grand success. After planting saplings, the Minister joined the walkers and also played volleyball with the youth.

Mayor Nannapaneni Narender, Kakatiya Urban Development Authority Chairman Marri Yadava Reddy, Municipal Commissioner VP Gautham and district forest officer Arpana Syal were among others present.