B. Ramanatha Rai, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, said that increasing green cover in the plains of Hyderabad-Karnataka region was among the top priorities of his department. He was speaking to media at Yeragera Postgraduate Centre of Gulbarga University, near Yeragera village in Raichur district on Thursday.
“Both conserving existing forest and developing newer forests are equally importance. Increasing green cover in Hyderabad-Karnataka region by taking up massive plantation drives is among our top priorities,” he said.
When asked, the minister said that he was aware of the fact that shortage of saplings hindered Department's ambitious programme of planting a crore saplings across the State. “We will draw lessons from the mistakes and avoid them in the future. I have already directed officers concerned to grow at least 25 lakh more saplings next year,” he said. He added that the department would involve business community by persuading them to spend their Corporate Social Responsibility funds on afforestation activities. “We will also join hands with Panchayat Raj institutions in their effort to enhance green cover at their respective areas. We will provide up to 5000 saplings to each Gram Panchayat on demand at subsidised costs,” he said.
To a question on the alleged environmental violations by Raichur Thermal Power Station, Yermarus Thermal Power Station and Hutti Gold Mines Limited, the state-owned undertakings, Mr. Rai said that he would personally visit all the three areas to get first-hand information. “If any violations are found, we will take stringent action,” he said.
Deputy Conservator of Forest Shivaraj and others were present.
