Telangana Governor calls for greater public participation in environmental protection
Medak, Oct 6 (TNT): Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Tuesday called for greater public participation in environmental protection and urged people to ensure the survival and growth of saplings after planting them.
Speaking after launching a cashew plantation programme along the NH-765DG between Ramayampet and Siddipet under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, the Governor said increasing green cover was essential for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring a healthier environment for future generations.
Shukla planted a cashew sapling on the occasion.
The plantation programme, spread across nearly 43 km, envisages planting around 30,000 to 35,000 cashew saplings along the highway.
The Governor said planting saplings alone was not sufficient and called for their regular watering, protection and monitoring.
He said cashew plantations could provide the dual benefits of environmental protection and sustainable income opportunities for farmers.
He also stressed the need to link environmental protection with public health and called for greater awareness about diseases such as cancer and diabetes, along with timely medical screening and early detection.
Shukla appreciated Medak MP Madhavaneni Raghunandan Rao’s efforts to extend cancer screening and other healthcare services to people in rural areas.
Raghunandan Rao said the Ramayampet-Siddipet highway stretch had earlier had trees on both sides, providing shade to travellers, but several trees were removed during the expansion of the national highway.
He said the plantation programme was aimed at restoring green cover along the highway and urged people to voluntarily participate in tree plantation and ensure the protection and survival of saplings.
Governor’s Special Chief Secretary M Dana Kishore, Malk Komuraiah, public representatives, district officials, Agriculture and Horticulture department officials, farmers and local residents were among those present.
TNT TS
