Minister KTR launches second phase of Haritha Haram in Hyderabad

Minister KT Rama Rao formally launched the second phase of Haritha Haram at Cyberabad Police Commissionerate Office, by planting a sapling.

Addressing a gathering afterwards, Minister KTR said that this novel initiative is the third largest afforestation program in the history of mankind. Minister informed that a total of 230 Crore saplings would be planted in the state, over a period of 5 years. This would help increase the green cover in the state from the current 24% to 33%.

Minister KTR explained how global warming, due to depleting green-cover, is wreaking havoc around the world. He said deforestation is the main culprit behind the extreme weather conditions such as hot summers, unseasonal rains and the recent spate of strong gales that have caused much damage in Hyderabad. Minister said these extreme weather conditions have not only impacted agriculture, but have had a negative impact on the overall economy as well.

Minister outlined the many benefits of planting saplings. He said we can preserve ecological balance and also control the extreme weather conditions by planting saplings.

Minister KTR aid that the current day HarithaHaram draws inspiration from CM Sri K Chandrashekar Rao's massive afforestation program in Siddipet constituency, while he was serving as an MLA in 1989.

Minister also announced that a record-breaking plantation effort is being taken up by GHMC & HMDA in and around Hyderabad on July 11^th with an aim to plant 25 Lakh saplings. This initiative would be undertaken jointly in collaboration with state & central government agencies, educational institutions, NGOs, corporate sector, and individual volunteers.

Minister also informed that the government is mulling making plantation of saplings mandatory for all new buildings coming up in Municipalities in the state.

In his closing remarks, Minister KTR reminded that similar to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), we all have an Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) too in protecting greenery!

Serilingampalli MLA Sri Arekapudi Gandhi, Sri Mahesh Bhagawat, Police Commissioner, Cyberabad East, Sri Naveen Chand, Police Commissioner, Cyberabad West, were among the dignitaries who participated in the event. 

-Press note