Forest Minister Jogu Ramanna urged people to participate in large numbers in Haritha Haram programme, the flagship scheme of the Telangana government, to make it a grand success.
Talking to media persons after inspecting the nurseries being raised by the Forest Department at Biknoor mandal headquarters on Friday, the Minister said that to lead a healthy life, keeping our surroundings clean and green was very important.
Environmentalists all over the world are of the opinion that peaceful and comfortable living is possible only when there is 33 per cent of forest area to the total geographical area of every country, he said, adding that this could be made a reality only when people take an active part in Haritha Haram. The long-cherished dream of the people of Telangana became a reality with the formation of the new State only when all the sections participated in the movement. Likewise, to make the Haritha Haram programme a success, people should take part in it, he said. The government has geared up for the third-largest programme involving people of Telangana, he said and recalled that in China, about 800 crore saplings and in Brazil, about 400 crore saplings were planted a few years ago and now, about 230 crore saplings would be planted across the State as part of the programme. As per the plan, 40,000 saplings will be planted in every village and protected under the supervision of a committee comprising 25 village-level officials headed by a sarpanch, he said.
Steps are being taken to plant saplings under the supervision of every department and the programme will continue till the end of September. Every sapling being planted will be given a particular number, said Mr. Ramanna.
He said the programme was one of the top most priorities of the government. On the occasion, he disclosed that the forest officials offered their one day salary for the Haritha Haram.
