Telangana To Plant 47 Crore Saplings: K T Rama Rao

Telangana Municipal Administration Minister K T Rama Rao today said that the state was setting a record by planting 47 crore saplings this year while other states were cumulatively planting only 50 crore saplings.

The minister was planting saplings in the West Zone area as part of the third phase of the TRS' green drive project Haritha Haram on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the government was implementing a plan to expand the green cover in the twin cities by planting the saplings. He said that the government was giving top priority to the goal of expanding the green cover to 33%.

The minister also said that the government was being cautious about removing or felling trees to pave way for the flyovers being built under the SRDP projects, and said that the trees were mostly being relocated to safer places.

He appealed to the people of the twin cities to participate in the green drive and make the program a big success.

"Trees will also help reduce pollution. It is our duty to give a quality environment to our children and people," he said.

"Our government's ultimate target is to plant a total of 230 crore saplings across the state and bring under irrigation one crore acres by completing the various irrigation projects," he added.