Plant saplings to restore the glory of the forest: Minister Indrakaran

Adilabad: Everyone should plant saplings and protect them to bring back the previous glory to forests across the State, stated Minister for Forest, Environment, Endowments and Law Allola Indrakaran Reddy.

On Tuesday, he laid foundations stone for constructing chain link fencing around Mavala Reserved Forest (Urban Lung Space) with an estimation cost of Rs 71 lakhs in about 8,087 acres in Adilabad district.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said to develop the forest area, they are extending the forest cover area to about five kilometres from Mavala Park to Durganagar, KRK Colony to Tantoli road. The work has been taken up with the participation of people to bring back the glory to vanished forest for the welfare of future generations and for the protection of the forest.

Indrakaran Reddy said that the State government has appointed 1,700 forest officers and funds worth Rs 3,100 crores under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (Campa) are ready to develop the forest. Stating that Mavala forest block will developed with walking tracks, gates, watching towers, he hoped that temperatures will decrease in next summer. He warned that PD Act will be invoked on wood poachers and added that the government is keen on developing temples in the State. Zilla Parishad Chairman Rathod Janardhan said that their target is to bring 33 percent of the area under forest cover and should be developed to get enough rains.

Adilabad MLA Jogu Ramanna urged everyone to plant and protect saplings under the government's prestigious scheme Haritha Haram to increase green cover and to enjoy fresh air. With an expenditure of Rs 171 lakhs, forest is being developed in 3,000 hectares.

District Collector D Divya thanked Minister Indrakaran Reddy for granting Campa funds for the forest development. Reminding the hazardous air pollution and the suffering of the people in Delhi, she said plantation is the urgent need of the hour to decrease pollution and to have a healthy atmosphere.

She said that proposals have been submitted to develop forest area in Boath, Echoda and Utnoor areas. She also wanted to take necessary action to protect forest area from encroachment. The Collector urged people not to throw plastic items in urban forest area.

District Forest officer Prabhakar said that there are many lands in the city, where they can develop forest in the joint Adilabad district. Development works will be taken up with another Rs two crores, he said.

Later, Minister A Indrakaran Reddy offered prayers to Goddess Durga at the temple.

DCCB Chairman Damodar Reddy, ZP vice-chairman Are Rajanna, Additional SP Ravikumar, Mavala ZPTC Nalla Vanitha Rajeshwar, public representatives and officers and others were present.