AP and TS Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan has called upon people to not only plant saplings but also nurture them till they grow well to protect the environment.
Participating in Haritha Haram programme along with IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao and Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao at BHEL on Monday, Mr. Narasimhan said that everyone should take ownership and make the programme successful. He also suggested that GHMC officials should accord permission for building construction only after taking up plantation of atleast ten saplings and take steps to ensure their growth and also etablish soak pits.
Stating that about 52 per cent of the saplings planted the previous year survived, the Governor said that there was a need to pay more attention to protect the saplings.
Mr. Rama Rao said that the government intended to plant 230 crore saplings in the next three years and added that a proposal was under consideration to accord permission for new buildings only after planting saplings.
Mr. Harish Rao said that Khammam and Adilabad have received more rain as there was more greenery and this should be emulated here too as there was a need to increase greenery in the district. Deputy Speaker M Padma Devender Reddy and others were present.
“Students’ participation vital”
Special Correspondent from Warangal adds: The Telangana Government’s flagship programme, Haritha Haram will be successful only when students work as soldiers and teachers enlighten them on the need of improving green environment, said MLA Bhanoth Shankar Naik. Taking part in the Haritha Haram programme at Zilla Parishad High School Kambalapally in Mahabubabad mandal on Monday, he said it was the responsibility of the teachers to prepare the next generation as environment-friendly generation.
With a great aim of correcting ecological imbalance, overcoming drought and reducing temperature, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had planned this ambitious programme and he hoped that it would find solution to many problems in society, he said. The programme presided over by M.Srinivasulu, Head Master, who said misusing natural gifts like water, air and food and poisoning them would lead to destruction.
To face the challenges of environmental related problems and to find a solution for them, students should involve themselves in environmental protection activities.
Creating awareness among the students on the need to protect the environment was the responsibility of the teachers, said V.Gurunadha Rao physical science teacher of the school and environmental activist.
The MLA laid foundation stone for school building six new rooms at a cost of Rs 39 lakh. Education is the key for development and empowerment of people, he said.
‘Motivate people’
The prestigious Haritha Haram programme was held successfully and people were urged to continue the programme with same spirit till the end.
District Collector Vakati Karuna taking part in planting saplings at various places across the district said more saplings were planted through Employment Guarantee Scheme so far and people should be motivated to take part in the programme voluntarily. She wanted the officials to ensure plantation at barren lands, around tanks and along streams all over.
Addressing the officials she said “We should ensure participation of people on massive scale”. The district stood first in planting more saplings in the first phase and that should be repeated once again in the second phase as well. The Collector called upon people to plant more trees in schools, churches, temples and mosques. People should also plant saplings in their respective houses.
The Collector took part in Haritha Haram at Kakatiya University in Hanamkonda and later Chennaraopet mandal on Monday.
3.35 cr saplings
Special Correspondent from Nizamabad adds: Minister for Agriculture Pocharam Srinivas Reddy has said that efforts were on to plant 3.35 crore saplings across the district by July 22. About 40,000 saplings would be planted in each village, he said.
Addressing an awareness meeting on the Haritha Haram project at Bodhan on Monday, the Minister felt that the flagship programme would be successful only when the authorities and the elected representatives developed awareness on it and involved people in the implementation.
Saying that general public still do not have the full knowledge of their payment under the scheme, he said during his interaction with the EGS workers at Jankampet on his way to the town they failed to give proper answer.
