Naga Babu Takes Charge Of AP Green, Targets 50 Pc Green Cover By 2047
Speaking to the media after assuming office at Aranya Bhavan in Mangalagiri, he said that efforts would be made to transform environmental conservation from a mere government programme into a mass movement with public participation.
Amaravati: Jana Sena MLC Konidela Naga Babu on Friday took charge as Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Green Executive Committee and stated that he would adhere to the goal of expanding the state’s green cover to 50 per cent of the geographical area by 2047.
Speaking to the media after assuming office at Aranya Bhavan in Mangalagiri, he said that efforts would be made to transform environmental conservation from a mere government programme into a mass movement with public participation.
Babu, who is the brother of Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan, was appointed Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the ‘Andhra Pradesh Society for Greening and Reforestation for Ecological Enrichment (AP Green)’ on August 17 with a Cabinet rank holding
He thanked Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for placing their trust in him and entrusting him with key responsibilities.
He said that the state’s current forest cover stands at 22.96 per cent. “Our primary objective is to increase the total green cover –comprising both forest and tree cover — to 50 per cent of the state’s geographical area by 2047. This is not merely a target set for the sake of statistics; the government has undertaken this initiative with the resolve to provide future generations with clean air, a healthy environment, and a better quality of life,” he said.
“At a time when climate change poses a global challenge, environmental conservation is a responsibility shared by us all. Therefore, we are implementing an action plan to expand greenery in every suitable area across the state, rather than limiting the AP Green initiative solely to forests. We aim to increase green cover wherever possible, including agricultural lands, villages, urban areas, roadsides, canal bunds, the premises of public and private institutions, industrial surroundings, and suitable wastelands.”
He said the AP Green Executive Committee will actively promote large-scale tree planting and the development of plantations.
AP Green initiative will be implemented with coordination of all government departments. It aims to become a people's movement involving farmers, students, youth, CSR groups and citizens, not just a government program. Focus will be on survival and growth of planted saplings with a dedicated monitoring system for their care.
He later met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu along with his wife Padmaja at the CM’s residence.