Nagababu takes charge of Andhra green panel, sets 50% cover target by 2047

Konidela Nagababu, the Jana Sena Party MLC, formally assumed charge as chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Green Executive Committee on Friday, outlining an ambitious plan to expand the state's green cover to 50% of its geographical area by 2047.

Speaking after taking over at Aranya Bhavan in Mangalagiri, Nagababu noted that Andhra Pradesh's current forest cover stands at 22.96%. He stressed that achieving the target would require a concerted push beyond traditional forest areas, extending to agricultural lands, villages, urban spaces, roadsides, canal bunds, institutional premises, industrial zones, and suitable wastelands. Large-scale plantations and garden development would also be part of the initiative.

Nagababu said the effort would necessitate coordination across multiple departments, including Agriculture, Horticulture, Panchayat Raj, Education, Industries, Revenue, Water Resources, Transport, and Forests. He framed the AP Green programme as a people's movement, seeking participation from farmers, voluntary organisations, CSR groups, students, youth, industrialists, and citizens.

"Planting trees alone is not our objective. Ensuring their survival, protection and healthy growth is the real responsibility," he said, adding that a special monitoring mechanism would be set up to track the survival and maintenance of planted trees.

Nagababu thanked Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan for entrusting him with the role. Later, accompanied by his wife, he met Naidu at the Chief Minister's Camp Office, where the Chief Minister felicitated him on the new responsibility.