HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said that the wealth of health was more valuable than all material wealth, and as such, the government of Telangana was working with commitment to facilitate providing a healthy environment for the present and future generations. As part of this, the state government was implementing the prestigious Telangana ku Haritha Haaram programme to increase the green cover.
The Chief Minister on Tuesday conveyed his greetings to environment lovers on the occasion of World Environment Day. Rao re-emphasised the initiatives taken by his government to conserve environment.
Stating that the impact of environmental changes around the world would impact us too, he said, “On Environment Day, the United Nations this year is propagating against the use of plastic. Plastic may make life better, but we need to be alert on the adverse effects caused by using plastic,” the Chief Minister said.
Rao said that the state government recognised the importance of green cover and cleanliness as soon as it assumed charge after the formation of Telangana and hence taken up Haritha Haaram on a large scale. “The government has taken up the task of providing clean atmosphere, clean drinking water and food. Haritha Haaram programme was taken up to increase green cover in the state and its progress in the last three years was more than satisfactory,” the Chief Minister said.
Rao said that the programme would become successful only with the participation of people. He called on the people to participate in the fourth phase of Haritha Haaram in July. KCR also said that the State government was planning to introduce electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions.
Ban on plastic of thickness below 50 microns likely by 2022
The state government is planning to ban the use of plastic in the state by 2022, environment and forest minister Jogu Ramanna said. Ramanna, who attended a five-day seminar conducted by the central government in New Delhi on Tuesday, told reporters later that the state government had already banned the use of plastic of 15 microns thick or less. “Now we are planning to ban the use of plastic of thickness below 50 microns.” The minister claimed that garbage collection in Telangana was being done in a scientific manner. “Of 7,270 tonnes of garbage, 7,053 tonnes are being recycled now,” he said.