Rajahmundry: The Andhra Pradesh government has taken up a massive tree plantation program in the state by planting 25 crore saplings this year.
After participating in Kartheeka Vanmahotsavam in Peddapuram mandal, Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said these plantations were necessary to maintain ecological balance that requires at least 33 per cent forest cover whereas our statistics show that the state has only 20-21 per cent greenery.
"To avoid nature's fury and to protect mankind from natural disasters, we need to protect forests and take to plantation in other areas also under our social forestry program," Ramakrishnudu said on Monday.
Worshipping nature on the fundamental of "live together, eat together" as preached by our ancestors, stresses on the need for a better relation with nature, he said.
The minister said the Government had decided to organise this special program (Vanmahotsavams) in AP by involving people and officials to protect the tradition of nature worship and community lunch during this month.
Deputy Chief Minister N Chinarajappa said the government has targeted to plant 2.50 crore trees during this season in the district.
Minister for Endowments, P Manikyala Rao, who also participated in the program, said the tree plantation event would serve as a platform for development while protecting nature.
East Godavari District Collector Neetu Prasad said the administration had planned to celebrate this function in six divisional headquarters in the district involving officials, public representatives and locals.
Earlier, ministers and district officials performed puja as a part of nature worship and planted saplings at NTR Nagar, Peddapuram where Ministers, MLAs, MLCs and district officials participated in the plantation.
Government Whip K V V Satyanarayana Raju, Additional Principal Conservator of Forests Uday Bhasker, Conservator of Forests, B K Singh along with other district officials attended the program.
