VIJAYAWADA: Deputy Chief Minister and Forests and Environment Minister K Pawan Kalyan on Friday directed forest officials to work with greater accountability to increase the State’s green cover to 50 per cent under the ‘Swarnandhra Vision 2047’ initiative.
Addressing a review meeting, he warned that negligence in implementing environmental programmes would not be tolerated. He said the initiative should be transformed into a people’s movement involving students, women self-help groups, volunteers, NGOs and public representatives.
Pawan Kalyan stressed that planting saplings alone was not enough and directed officials to ensure their protection until they grow into full-fledged trees.
He warned that industries failing to maintain mandatory green cover would face strict action.
He also reviewed the progress of the Great Green Wall project, green belt development, eco-tourism initiatives and efforts to recover red sandalwood consignments seized abroad.
The Deputy Chief Minister instructed officials to coordinate with the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to expedite the return of red sandalwood consignments seized in countries such as China, Japan and Singapore.
Pawan Kalyan also proposed the introduction of a ‘Tourist Police’ system to ensure the safety of tourists and pilgrims visiting Andhra Pradesh. He directed officials from the forest, tourism and rural development departments to identify 200 eco-tourism destinations and submit a comprehensive report within five days.
He said coordinated eco-tourism development could generate employment opportunities for nearly 50,000 youth across the State.
The Minister also directed Forest department officials to distribute 2.5 crore seed balls across the State as part of a major afforestation initiative aimed at enhancing greenery and maintaining ecological balance.
He said the programme was designed to ensure a cleaner and greener future for coming generations and instructed officials to organise large-scale seed ball preparation activities throughout June under the State’s ambitious green campaign.