Hyderabad: Forest lands are decreasing in Andhra Pradesh. As per the national forest policy, the forest area in every state should be about 33 per cent of the total land.
In AP at present, there is only 23 per cent forest area. Of this, only about 12 per cent is “good forest” area. Another four per cent area is covered with fruit-bearing and other trees.
Special chief secretary to the forest department P.V. Ramesh said the state government wanted to develop a forest area of about 50 per cent by 2030. At present, the state was concentrating its attention on developing about 11 per cent of new forest area.
About 2,500 tonnes of seeds were ready for planting. Seeds would be sprinkled in the heavy forest areas with the help of helicopters. Seeds will be distributed free of cost to individuals too. This year, about 15,000 trees would be planted.
The population of the state is about 5 crore and each individual is advised to plant three saplings.
