Plant more trees for Bangaru Telangana, says CM

HYDERABAD: Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said Bangaru Telangana can be achieved only by improving green cover in the state. He said enhanced green cover would be the only solution to drought situation in the state.
Speaking after launching Haritha Haram programme, which will be conducted till July 10, the chief minister said the state government was planning to plant 160 crore saplings in the next four years.He launched the programme by planting saplings at Chilkur village in Ranga Reddy district.
He called upon the people, especially students, women and farmers and non-governmental organizations, to participate in the programme by planting saplings in all the open spaces. He urged them to consider it as a people’s programme not merely as an event for the government or elected representatives.
He said Vikarabad area was once a dense forest and there was a saying “Vikarabad ka Hawa Lakho Marizon ka dawa’ and he blamed the previous governments of united AP for destruction of forests there. The chief minister said deforestation was one of the reasons for monkey menace in urban areas as they are coming to the cities in search of food. He call for planting of fruit-bearing plant species in open spaces in forest areas as part of the Haritha Haram.
Calling for a comprehensive planning for the programme, he directed district collectors to start growing saplings in the nurseries by taking plants from farmers. He said village secretaries and village revenue officers should participate in the programme.
Earlier, he offered prayers in Chilkur Balaji temple along with members of his family and planted saplings on the premises of the temple. Ministers Jogu Ramanna, P Mahender Reddy, legislative council chairman Swamy Goud, ZP chairperson Sunitha Mahender Reddy and other public representatives were present.