Hyderabad: Panchayat raj and rural development minister Seethakka on Sunday said the department had set a target of planting 6.18 crore saplings this year and had so far planted more than 5.61 crore saplings, achieving 91% of the target.
Ensure regular watering, proper protection and field-level monitoring of the survival of planted saplings,” the minister told officials. “The responsibility does not end with planting saplings. The real success of Vana Mahotsavam will be measured by how many plants survive and grow into healthy trees.
As part of this initiative, 2.75 crore fruit saplings are being distributed this year.
She said the govt was giving special importance to distributing fruit saplings for planting in household premises. “Growing a fruit plant in every household is not just about increasing greenery; it is also an investment in the health of the family,” Seethakka said. The govt’s objective, she said, was to reduce dependence on the market for fruits by encouraging families to grow nutritious fruit plants in their own surroundings. “While the govt’s responsibility extends to providing saplings, every family must take responsibility for planting, watering and protecting them until they grow into trees,” she said.
Seethakka reviewed the progress of Vana Mahotsavam programme being implemented under the panchayat raj and rural development department at Praja Bhavan, along with commissioner Divya Devarajan and special commissioner Srilakshmi. She reviewed district-wise progress on plantation, distribution of saplings to households, digging of pits and the survival of planted saplings. She called for making Vana Mahotsavam a people’s movement aimed not only at increasing green cover but also at building a healthier Telangana . The minister expressed satisfaction with the efforts of officials and directed them to complete the remaining plantation target quickly, taking advantage of the favourable rainfall conditions. She stressed the importance of nutritious food, particularly for children, women, pregnant women and lactating mothers. She suggested that families cultivate fruit and nutritional plants such as guava, amla, mango, custard apple and drumstick, which can provide fresh and natural nutrition. The minister directed village-level officials and panchayat staff to ensure that every sapling distributed to households is actually planted and not left unused. She called upon people to treat every sapling as a member of their family and participate in the effort to create greener villages and healthier families.