Telangana: KCR launches Haritha Haram in Gajwel

HYDERABAD: Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao dropped by at the house of one Nagaraj at Prajnapur and planted saplings there. KCR also interacted with his family members. This was after the CM had launched the massive plantation drive for Haritha Haram for this year in Gajwel, his constituency, where 1,00,116 saplings were planted on a single day.

Even on his way to Gajwel, KCR stopped to plant saplings at Turkpalli village at Shamirpet. He also stopped at Singayapalli forest belt. There, to get forest officials take more interest in protecting forests, he announced a cash reward of 5 lakh for forest officers as incentive. KCR said, "If necessary, more staff and funds would be released to ensure that green cover is protected."

MLAs can now look forward to 'Vana bhojanalu' (having lunch in the forest) as the CM instructed forest officials to organise such events for them.

"If we protect nature, it protects us. It is of utmost importance to plant saplings and save nature," said KCR. He has participated in many plantation programs as part of "Telangana ku Haritaharam" fourth phase.

He also stopped by at four places in Medchal district and planted saplings. At Gajwel bus stand cross roads, KCR planted a Kadambam sapling. He planted saplings at Turkapalli, Mulugu and Prajnapur villages in Shameerpet Mandal. On Rajiv Rahadari highway road side, he planted an Akashamalli sapling.

Though the plan was to plant 1,00,116 saplings in Gajwel municipality, 1,36,588 saplings were planted covering all areas. The CM asked forest officials to establish a Green Battalion to protect forests and greenery in the state. "Each battalion should adopt one area in the forest and help in rejuvenating it," he said.

In both Gajwel and Prajnapur municipalities, on the whole, 75,000 fruit-bearing saplings, 16,000 flower-bearing saplings and 10,000 wild fruit-bearing saplings were planted. Plants useful for domestic needs were also planted.

"You should protect the plants like they are your family members," said the CM.

Forest minister Jogu Ramanna, irrigation minister T Harish Rao, deputy speaker Padma Devender Reddy, MPs Santosh Kumar, Prabhakar Reddy, Mallareddy, Whip Palla Rajeswar Reddy, MLAs, chief secretary SK Joshi and PCCF PK Jha were among others who participated.