PNS|Vijayawada
On the occasion of World Environment Day, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched a large-scale afforestation drive, pledging to make Andhra Pradesh a national model for environmental sustainability. Participating in Vanamahotsavam celebrations at Ananthavaram in Thullur mandal, the Chief Minister, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, planted saplings at ADC Park and visited pollution control stalls near the venue.
Emphasising that environmental protection is a shared duty, Naidu said, “Every citizen must contribute to the mission of Swachh Andhra. Can we expect clean air without planting trees?”
He announced an ambitious target of planting one crore saplings in a single day, with the goal of raising 5.58 crore saplings by the next Environment Day.
Andhra Pradesh currently has 37,421 sq km of forest cover, which accounts for 23% of its area. Including greenery outside forests, total green cover stands at 30.05%. The government aims to increase this to 50% by 2047.
Criticising previous regimes for engaging in token tree-planting events, Naidu highlighted the worsening effects of environmental degradation—rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, falling groundwater levels, agricultural distress, and health concerns. “The only way forward is to plant more trees,” he asserted. He recalled how trees were once felled to clear helicopter paths for earlier leaders, a practice his government has reversed. “Cutting trees is now seen as a crime, and in some countries, it attracts jail time,” he noted.
Naidu acknowledged the influence of environmentalists like Vanajeevi Ramaiah and social reformer Keshava Naidu. He expressed confidence in Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, who now oversees the Environment Department, a portfolio close to his heart.
As part of the Swachh Andhra initiative, the Chief Minister announced strict curbs on plastic. Single-use plastic will be banned in all 17 municipal corporations by 2 October and phased out across the state by 5 June next year.
He noted that waste-to-energy plants in Guntur and Visakhapatnam are already processing 90% of dry urban waste. Compost units are coming up in rural areas, and 157 RRR (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle) centres have been set up in 87 municipalities. Urban forests will be developed in all 175 Assembly constituencies.
Naidu also launched the ‘Seed Rakhi’ campaign, which encourages girls to tie rakhis made of plant seeds corresponding to their siblings’ birth stars to promote environmental awareness.
Reiterating his vision for Amaravati as a model green capital, Naidu announced plans for Miyawaki forests, world-class gardens, and free 2 kW solar panels for SC/ST households.
He further declared that Andhra Pradesh will host a record-setting International Yoga Day on 21 June in Visakhapatnam under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with 5 lakh participants at one venue and 2 crore across the state. Komera Ankarao has been appointed Advisor to the Forest and Environment Department.
“Environmental protection, yoga, and green energy are not just policies—they are our path to a sustainable future,” Naidu concluded.
