Call to protect plants in Warangal

Warangal: Protect nature, it will protect the mankind, Station Ghanpur MLA Thatikonda Rajaiah, who along with Urban District Collector Prashanth Jeevan Patil, Zilla Parishad chairman M Sudheer Kumar and Forest Conservator MJ Akbar participated in plantation drive as part of Jal Shakti Abhiyan at Inuparathiguttalu under Dharmasagar mandal on Tuesday.

"The Chief Minister, K Chandrashekar Rao, who identified the importance of green drive in ensuring ecological balance, has launched Haritha Haram programme," Rajaiah said, appealing to people to participate in the plantation drive. The onus is on Sarpanches to ensure 80 per cent survival rate of saplings, he said.

ZP chief Sudheer, who urged the people to support the plantation programme, stressed the importance of keeping a tab on protecting the existing green cover. He said that block plantation will be taken on 5 acres in the textile park. He expressed grief over felling off trees for charcoal production at a time when the government is striving hard to ensure 33 per cent forest cover in the State.

Urban District Collector Prashanth Jeevan Patil said that the emphasis should be on survival of plants and solar pump sets would be installed for watering the saplings planted in forest region.

"The administration would give incentives to Sarpanches and officials, who strive hard for the survival of trees. It's time for the people to come forward to protect the saplings planted within their vicinity at least, he said, expressing concern over the dismal survival rate of saplings planted under Haritha Haram programme.

"The administration has appointed district and mandal-level officials as special and nodal officers to look after the survival of plants," he said. At least four-kilometer avenue plantation will be taken up in each village, Patil said. To look after the survival of plants, a watcher for each kilometre will be appointed with the NREGS funds, he added.

CCF MJ Akbar said that afforestation would not only protect environment but also augurs well for the development of ecotourism. He said that forest area of Mupparam and Kothapally would be turned into model green avenues.