Visakhapatnam: On the occasion of International Day of Forests, the Andhra University Engineering College students have taken a pledge to increase the green cover by planting saplings in the campus. Dr Gollapalli Nageswara Rao, Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University has called upon the engineering students to be part in the Neeru-Chettu programme which was conceived to increase groundwater levels in the state.
He said that AP government has been appealing the students to plant more trees. Over 15,000 saplings were planted till now and most of them survived. Further, maintenance of the plant is also important. “Even a school going kid knows that global warming is due to deforestation. But, no one is interested in planting saplings except few NGOs. Cape Town doesn’t have a drop of water today. People should understand that the same situation may come to our city as well. If not now, later everyone will realise the necessity to grow more trees,” he said.
Water resources are possible only with the forests. Water is preserved in soil with the help of the roots. Educated persons have further responsibility to increase the green cover, he added.
