Stage set for mass plantation drive

Visakhapatnam: Elaborate arrangements have been made for launching Vanam-Manam programme as part of Mission Harithandhrapradesh at Kambalakonda eco- tourismpark on Friday at which Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra would be the chief guest.

Local Ministers Ch Ayyanna Patrudu, Ganta Srinivasa Rao, MPs, MLAs and MLCs, representatives of voluntary organisations, public and private industries, officials of the State and Central government and 3,000 schoolchildren would take part in the programme.

Collector Praveen Kumar disclosed here on Thursday that arrangements have been made to plant 20 lakh saplings on a single day on Friday which benefits the environment and public.

He said that the GVMC would plant 1.78 lakh saplings, Vuda 1.5 lakh, DWMA 4.70 lakh, Forest department 7.5 lakh, Horticulture wing 31,000, industries two lakh, Yelamanchili and Narsipatnam municipalities 22,000 saplings.

Divisional Forest Officer of Social Forestry department Suryanarayana Padhal is the nodal officer for the Vanam-Manam programme.

It was decided to plant 20 lakh saplings in the district to increase the present greenery of 42 per cent to 50 per cent. . The massive plantation drive would be continued throughout the year, he said. Pits were dug up and tree guards were arranged for one year old plants.

To maintain the planted saplings for a period of three years, funds from the MGNREGS would be sanctioned, the Collector added.