Telangana Sets Target Of 19.5 Crore Saplings This Year

Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar directed the officials concerned to take up the annual plantation drive under the Haritha Haaram program in a big way.

He added that the State government had set a plantation target of 19.5 crore for this year.

The CS was speaking during a video conference with the district Collectors on Friday, and reviewed the implementation of Haritha Haaram, Dalit Bandhu and paddy procurement in the State.

During the conference, Kumar said that due to the successful implementation of the Haritha Haaram programme, there had been a 6.8% increase in the green and forest cover in the State. However, there was a need to enhance it further, he said, and instructed the officials to prepare a special action plan for afforestation in those districts where the green cover was less than 10%.

Also, while 19,400 Palle Prakruthi Vanams functioning in the State was commendable, the Collectors should ensure the setting up of Palle Prakruthi Vanams in the remianing villages too at the earliest, he said.

Four Bruhat Palle Prakruthi Vanams should also be set up in every mandal, he added.

He also asked the Collectors to ensure inch-by-inch plantation in every urban area of the State.

Kumar also underlined the need to prepare an action plan for taking up massive plantations near irrigation tanks and river beds, in accordance with the instructions of the Chief Minister.