Latest news with #VanaMahotsavam
Hans India
21 hours ago
- General
- Hans India
Move to increase forest cover from 36 to 50% in Prakasam
Ongole: Prakasam district collector A Thameem Ansariya has called upon everyone to focus on increasing greenery to protect the environment during a special awareness programme held at Mini Stadium here on Thursday as part of the 'Vana Mahotsavam' celebration for World Environment Day. The collector, along with the Andhra Pradesh Tourism and Development Corporation chairman Dr Nukasani Balaji and mayor Gangada Sujatha, planted saplings at the Mini Stadium and Kendriya Vidyalaya. Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, the collector explained that this year's World Environment Day celebrations focus on eliminating the use of polluting plastic materials to preserve the environment. She announced that the state government has initiated measures to plant one crore trees across the state in a single day, with Prakasam district preparing an action plan to plant 4.10 lakh trees in one day as part of this massive drive. She revealed ambitious targets for the district, stating that they aim to plant over 35 lakh trees during the current year. This initiative is designed to increase the district's current forest coverage from 36 per cent to 50 per cent within the year through systematic action plans, she informed. Balaji highlighted that human survival depends entirely on environmental protection, drawing historical parallels by noting that Emperor Asoka had recognised this principle centuries ago when he ordered tree plantations on both sides of roads. Sujatha spoke about the special focus being given to increasing greenery within the Ongole Corporation limits and urged everyone to understand the necessity of environmental protection. She called upon citizens to recognise their responsibility in safeguarding the environment. During the programme, the Collector and other dignitaries administered a pledge to participants, committing them to take personal responsibility for environmental conservation. Following the ceremony, saplings were distributed to all attendees to encourage continued participation in the green initiative. The event was attended by several key officials, including DFO (Social Forest) Rajasekhar, Municipal Commissioner Venkateswara Rao, STEP CEO Srimannarayana, and other public representatives and government officials.
Hans India
a day ago
- General
- Hans India
Trees must be nurtured responsibly, says KU Rector
Krishna University (Krishna District): Prof MV Basaveswara Rao, Rector of Krishna University, emphasised that simply planting trees isn't enough; true results come only when the responsibility of nurturing them is taken. He made this clear during a large-scale tree planting drive on Thursday, held on the university campus as part of Vana Mahotsavam (Forest Festival). Speaking at the event, he urged all teaching and non-teaching staff at the university to compulsorily take on the responsibility of protecting the planted saplings. The programme saw the participation of Controller of Examinations Dr P Veera Brahmachari, NSS programme officers Dr Swaroopa, Dr Sesha Reddy, Dr Shanti Krupa and Dr Ravi, along with other teaching and non-teaching staff.
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Human survival depends on trees: Minister Savita
Poranki (Krishna district): Minister for BC, EWS Welfare, Handlooms and Textiles S Savita emphasised that human survival is only possible with trees. She announced that as part of the Harithandhra Pradesh initiative, one crore saplings are being planted across the State, with a target to achieve 50 per cent green cover by 2047. The Minister stressed that everyone is responsible for protecting the planted saplings and warned of strict action against those who remove trees. Minister Savita planted saplings here and led locals in a pledge to commit to environmental protection and increasing greenery. She highlighted that environmental protection must start from every home. She called upon everyone to avoid plastic use and plant trees, emphasizing that human survival is only possible with green trees. She stated that the coalition government has decided to prioritize the creation of Green Andhra Pradesh and environmental protection by significantly increasing green cover in the state. She mentioned that development is progressing rapidly in the state, with work on the capital Amaravati and the Polavaram project already underway. Simultaneously, high priority is being given to increasing green cover. Minister Savita warned that strict action will be taken against those who remove trees along roadsides and canal banks. She emphasized that tree planting is everyone's responsibility and called upon everyone to come forward to plant trees in front of every house and for auspicious occasions. Savita highlighted that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan are giving high priority to tree planting, which provides oxygen to humans and maintains environmental balance. In contrast, she criticised former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, stating that he acted in opposition to this. She expressed anger, alleging that Jagan, when traveling by air outside his palace, had ordered the removal of trees along roads. Earlier, coalition leaders and workers accorded a grand welcome to Minister Savita upon her arrival in Poranki for the Vana Mahotsavam. Corporation chairmen Veeranki Gurumurthy and Eshwar, along with several TDP leaders, participated in the programme.
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
CM sets ambitious green cover target of 50% by 2047
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said that concerted efforts would be made to increase green cover in the state from current 30.05 per cent to 50 per cent by 2047 when India would celebrate its centenary year of Independence. Addressing the Vana Mahotsavam event on the World Environment Day at Ananthavaram village in Thullur mandal near here, the Chief Minister said: "Currently, Andhra Pradesh has 37,421 sq km of forest area, accounting for 23 per cent of the total area in the State. When we add greenery outside forests, the state's green cover stands at 30.05 per cent. Our goal is to increase this to 50 per cent by 2047.' The state must become a national role model in greenery and for environment protection, he added. Pointing out that protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility, he urged every citizen to contribute to the 'Swachh Andhra' mission. Clean air can't be expected without planting trees, he said. The Chief Minister took pride in launching the initiative to plant one crore saplings on a single day. He has set a target of planting 5.58 crore saplings by the next Environment Day. Further, Naidu highlighted the critical need for environmental protection, saying environmental degradation would lead to decline in rainfall, groundwater depletion, risks to agriculture, and fluoride contamination in water. 'To prevent such risks, everyone must plant trees,' he said. The Chief Minister said he drew inspiration from individuals dedicated to environmental causes, citing 'Vanajeevi (Forest Man) Ramaiah,' who always brought a sapling when they met and dedicated his life to raising awareness about tree planting in villages. He also recalled how Keshava Naidu, a social activist from his childhood village who worked to protect forests, had a profound influence on him. Listing out his government's efforts to combat plastic pollution, he said as many as 157 Reduce-Reuse-Recycle centres had already been set up in 87 municipalities. Naidu declared that all 17 municipal corporations would be free from single-use plastic by October 2, and the entire state would be plastic-free by June 5 next year. He also announced plans to develop urban forests in all 175 constituencies. Making a unique appeal, he suggested, 'Girls should tie seed rakhis made from seeds of plants representing their siblings' birth stars, thereby contributing to the environmental well-being.' Reflecting on the political landscape, Naidu said, 'TDP, Jana Sena, and BJP together made history in AP, and today marks one year since that historic moment. We are moving from destruction toward rebuilding the state. We've initiated innovative programmes.' He envisioned Amaravati as 'the guiding light for future generations'. He pledged to develop Amaravati into a beautiful city, incorporating Miyawaki-style and international-standard gardens. The Chief Minister also stated that Andhra Pradesh, once struggling with power supply, now reached a stage where households could generate power from rooftops. Naidu announced the appointment of Komera Ankarao, recognised for his work in protecting the Nallamala forests, as Advisor to the State's Forest and Environment Department.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
1 crore saplings to be planted across state in a day under Vanam-Manam
Vijayawada: In a move towards ecological sustainability and climate resilience, AP govt is set to kick off an unprecedented greening initiative on (Thursday), aiming to plant a record one crore saplings across the state in a single day. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Branded under the flagship 'Vanam-Manam' programme, this campaign is part of a long-term mission to transform the state's landscape and increase green cover from the current 29% to an ambitious 50% by 2047. The afforestation mission aligns with the global call for urgent climate action and is deeply rooted in local environmental challenges. With a geographical area of 1,62,923 sq km, AP currently boasts a green cover of 48,978 sq. km (30.05%)—comprising both forested areas and trees outside forests. To reach the 50% mark, govt plans to green an additional 32,483 sq km by systematically planting native tree species on all available public and private lands. Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accompanied by deputy chief minister and environment minister, will formally launch the Vana Mahotsavam at a state-level event, with parallel ceremonies held at the district, constituency, mandal, village, and institutional to the 2025-26 action plan, over 5.58 crore saplings will be planted on 1.79 lakh hectares throughout the year, supported by multiple departments, including forest, rural development, horticulture, APFDC, and even private players like paper mills through CSR initiatives. On World Environment Day alone, the forest department is expected to plant 37 lakh saplings, with substantial contributions from rural development (30 lakh), APPCB (10 lakh), and govt lands, railway and canal bunds, schools, universities, housing colonies, degraded forest areas, and lands surrounding industries will serve as plantation sites, transforming them into pockets of biodiversity.
