Minister for Roads and Buildings Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu has called upon students to plant saplings and ensure their growth to protect mankind both directly and indirectly.
Addressing students of various schools at a programme organised, to mark the 68th Vanamahotsavam, at Kambalakonda here on Saturday, the Minister said each student should plant at least 10 saplings at their homes or nearby vacant places.
Collector Pravin Kumar said that a plan was made to increase forest coverage in the district from the present 43 per cent to 50 per cent.
He said lakhs of plants were being planted in the district as part of the ‘Vanam Manam’ programme of the State government on Saturday. He commended the officials of various government departments for their contribution to the success of the programme.
Joint Collector G. Srijana, GVMC Commissioner M. Harinarayanan and MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu were among those who participated.
Meanwhile, speaking at a Vanam-Manam programme on AU campus Vice-Chancellor G. Nageswara Rao said the tree plantation will help protect environment. He said saplings will be planted all along the university campus, especially in the vacant areas.
Later, he planted saplings on the campus to mark the occasion. AU Registrar V. Uma Maheswara Rao also took part in the programme.
