Coastal Forest Protection Gets Priority, Says Pawan
Pawan Kalyan also announced steps to notify nearly 10,000 acres of unclassified mangrove forests identified through satellite data and bring them under forest protection.
Vijayawada: Emphasising the urgent need to protect coastal forests and prevent encroachments, Deputy Chief Minister and forest & environment minister K. Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday directed officials to fast-track the Great Green Wall of Andhra Pradesh and the ambitious 50 per cent Green Cover programme.
Reviewing the progress with senior forest officials at the Secretariat in Velagapudi, he ordered that a clear road map be finalised by the end of January and that a special inter-departmental task force be constituted to ensure time-bound execution. He said coastal communities should be actively involved in safeguarding plantations and preventing encroachments on forest land.
The Deputy CM also announced steps to notify nearly 10,000 acres of unclassified mangrove forests identified through satellite data and bring them under forest protection.
Pawan Kalyan noted that achieving 50 per cent green cover is a personal goal set by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and called for coordinated efforts across departments.