Chandrababu Naidu launches Vana Mahotsavam

Guntur: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday announced that the government will give 'Vruksha Mitra Awards' to those who take up massive tree plantation and protect the plants.Naidu launched ‘Vana Mahotsavam-2017" and one crore tree plantation drive under the aegis of AP Forest Department at Obulnaidupalem near Guntur city on Saturday.

Highlights:

• Stresses need to increase greenery from the current 23 per cent to 50 per cent in the State
• Says Vruksha Mitra awards will be presented to those taking up massive tree plantation and measures to protect them

Speaking on the occasion, he said the government will plant 26 crore saplings within one year in the State. Pointing out that the State at present has 23% greenery, he said there is a need to increase it to 50% by 2029. He sought people’s participation in the programme to make it a success. He directed the officials to hold meetings under the shadow of the trees every Saturday and discuss about ODF, massive tree plantation and other development activities.

Naidu said he had entrusted the responsibility of raising nurseries to various organisations and warned that he would not tolerate if anybody uproot the trees for road widening and directed the R&B, NHAI, Panchayat Raj departments to strictly follow his instructions.

He stressed everybody to plant a sapling on the occasion of birthdays, marriage days and other important occasions. He said if a need arises to remove trees then they need to be planted at another place.

He said raising of trees will help to check ecological imbalance and prevent pollution. He said the government will encourage massive tree plantation and conducting Vanabhojanams. He pointed out that performing puja to trees is a part of Telugu people’s culture.

He said the government will set up a tree bank to supply saplings to those interested in raising plants. He urged the people to take up tree plantation like a movement and added that deforestation would cause deficit rainfall and severe drought.

He directed the officials to plant saplings at government offices, schools, factories, on the highways and roads. He said he will inspect the government offices and schools to know whether they have taken up plantation drive or not. He vowed to make the capital Haritha Amaravati.

He said to check drought and ensure sufficient water for irrigation, the TDP government has taken up interlinking of rivers. He reminded that the government has interlinked Krishna and Godavari rivers and released Pattiseema Lift Irrigation water to Krishna Delta during the current season.

Minister for Forests Sidda Raghava Rao explained steps taken by the department to increase greenery in the State. He sought the co-operation of the people to make Vana Mahotsavam a grand success. He said the government will supply adequate saplings for plantation.

AP State Assembly Speaker Dr Kodela Siva Prasada Rao urged the government to take stern action against those cutting the trees. Minister for Civil Supplies Prathipati Pulla Rao, Minister for Social Welfare Nakka Anand Babu, MLAs Modugula Venugopala Reddy, Ravela Kishore Babu, Alapati Rajendra Prasad and Kommalapati Sridhar were among those who participated in Vana Mahotsavam.