As part of second phase of Harithaharam – the flagship program for expanding greenery across the stat a massive plantation should be taken up as a people’s movement on July 8 and continue for two weeks.
“We have to set a national record by planting a whopping 46 cr saplings across the state that will help reach the target of expanding forest cover to 33 per cent from existing 26 per cent”, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has said. He also stressed the need for planting wide gamut of saplings, including fruit, medicinal, shadow and flowers to boost ecological balance and fight pollution besides attracting rains.
At a high level review meeting at Secretariat with Chief Secretary Dr Rajiv Sharma and other officials the Chief Minister set a deadline to prepare the plans according to their requirements for the massive plantation drive to finalise with another round of a meeting with the Chief Secretary on July 4. From school boy level to the chief minister all the persons, officials and people should take part in the greenery drive he appealed.
The Chief Minister asked that the collectors and peoples representatives can spend available funds at districts level for the plantation program. He further said that green drive of massive afforestation will be a success and become a record if all the people are encouraged to participate voluntarily in the program. The officials should focus on drawing their own plans to expand greenery and encourage the school children and students to participate in the green drive.
KCR hoped that the drive will see that the saplings are planted in villages, towns and cities. All the Government offices, departments, all schools and educational institutions should take up the green drive through a massive publicity drive. We need to create awareness among people through publicity at various levels using media and social media and pressing artists to take up cultural programs and art forms. (NSS)