The district administration unveiled a plan to plant 3.35 crore saplings during the upcoming monsoon season, under the flagship Haritha Haram programme .

They would be planted in forest, residential areas, crop fields and on the premises of government offices. Flagging off a green rally launched in connection with World Environment Day here on Sunday, Collector Yogitha Rana said efforts were on for promotion of afforestation and also improving the groundwater level.

To recharge ground water effectively, one lakh soak pits and magic pits were dug across the district, she said. Appealing to the people to extend cooperation to the efforts of the government to effectively fulfil the twin objectives, she said that unless there was public participation no programme would be successful. Keeping in view the interests of future generations, everyone needs to protect the environment, she said.

Ms. Rana said that tree felling must be stopped to promote balance in ecology and prevent global warming. “Under the long term plan, if everyone plants and protects one sapling, we can prevent global warming,” she said.

Divisional Forest Officer (social forestry) Sujatha, DFO Habeeb, environment engineer Ravikumar, AEE Ravinder and Bala Bhavan, and superintendent Prabhakar also participated in the programme.