Did Telangana CM Launch a Plantation Drive to Urge Women to Nurture Saplings?

Hyderabad, July 7 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy, officially inaugurated the ‘Vana Mahotsavam’, an extensive plantation initiative aimed at planting 18.03 crore saplings throughout the state this monsoon. The launch took place at the Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University in Rajendranagar, located in the Rangareddy district.

Joined by Forest and Environment Minister Konda Surekha and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) C. Suvarna, the Chief Minister himself planted saplings at the Botanical Garden.

During his speech, he encouraged households to plant at least two saplings each and appealed to women to nurture these saplings as if they were their own children.

Expressing his worries about global warming, he highlighted the importance of increasing tree planting efforts to protect the environment. “If you protect trees, trees will protect you,” he stated.

CM Revanth Reddy underlined the critical role women can play in environmental conservation. He detailed the measures his government has taken to support women's welfare and to promote entrepreneurship among them.

He affirmed that the government is dedicated to empowering women, providing them with self-respect through various initiatives.

The Chief Minister also called on women to actively participate in politics, noting that the number of Assembly seats will rise from 119 to 153, allowing for 33 percent reservation for women, equating to 51 seats. “I will take the responsibility of giving 60 tickets to women,” he announced.

PCCF Suvarna reiterated that 18.03 crore saplings will be planted throughout the state during this monsoon as part of the Vana Mahotsavam program. This initiative aims to boost the state’s forest cover and promote environmental sustainability.

She mentioned that all departments, particularly the Forest, Municipal Administration, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), will be involved in the tree plantation drive.

Suvarna noted that HMDA has adopted 150 acres of land on the university campus for planting, including a Botanical Garden that spans 40 acres.

She explained that traditional forest species indigenous to Telangana are being planted in place of Subabul and Eucalyptus trees on the campus.

The controversy surrounding tree cutting on the university campus arose when some students alleged that authorities cut down trees to make way for new saplings. However, the university clarified that the removal of environmentally harmful trees is part of the ongoing drive to create space for more valuable plantings.

PJTAU Vice-Chancellor Prof Aldas Janaiah explained that the removal of Subabul and Eucalyptus trees on the 150 acres is part of a formal auction process aimed at enhancing the campus's greenery.