The Minister flagging off third phase of Haritha Haram here at Velugumatla Urban Park under city corporation limits here in Khammam on Wednesday. Officials, employees, peoples’ representatives, students, representatives of voluntary organisations, NCC and NSS volunteers and others actively took part in the programme and planted saplings.

Speaking on the occasion, Tummala said the programme was successfully implemented in last two years. He asked the people to participate with same zeal and enthusiasm in the third phase and make it a grand success by planting as many saplings as possible.

Asking everyone to take care of the planted saplings by arranging tree guards and watering them regularly, Tummala said the task of planting 2 crore saplings in the district must be carried out as a movement.

With an aim of creating a pleasant atmosphere to the denizens of Khammam city, the government has decided to plant saplings of several varieties in 200 acres of land present in Velugumatla Urban Park, by investing Rs 2.5 crore, informed the Minister, adding that more saplings would be planted in the remaining 300 acres of the park in coming up days.

District Collector D S Lokesh Kumar, MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, MLA Puvvada Ajay Kumar, MLC BalasaniLakshminarayana, DCCB Chairman Muvva Vijay Babu, State Industrial Development Corporation Chairman Shaik BudanBaig and District Joint Collector T Vinay Krishna Reddy were present along with others.

Khammam Collector DS Lokesh Kumar stated that the planting of saplings was important to protect the environment along with maintaining the ecological balance.

The Collector along with the Commissioner of Police, Tafseer Iqbal, inaugurated the third phase of Haritha Haram on the premises of Sri Krishna Prasad Memorial High School, at Police Parade Grounds and at City Police Training Centre on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Lokesh Kumar said it was everyone’s responsibility to protect the planted saplings along with planting more. “The saplings that are planted today will become highly useful for next generation.

They will live in pleasant atmosphere when the saplings that are planted and protected today grow into trees,” said the Collector.

CP Tafseer Iqbal said to maintain the ecological balance along the preventing pollution which was increasing at an alarming rate, saplings must be planted. Later, the Collector and the CP observed the optical equipments that were exhibited in City Training Centre and had lunch with the trainee constables.

City Training Centre Assistant Commissioner of Police Ismail, Central Armed Reserve Forces ACPs’ Sanjeev and Venkateshwarlu, Circle Inspectors Sarangapani and Rehaman were present along with others.

In Kothagudem, As part of third phase of Haritha Haram, Singareni Director J Pavithran Kumar launched the prestigious programme by planting saplings at Bungalows area on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, the Director said they were conducting the programme on a grand scale with an aim to plant 1 crore saplings across Singareni area. He said apart from planting the saplings, they had arranged contract staff to safeguard the saplings.

He hoped that the state would soon become a greener Telangana. Director E&M S Shankar, general managers of various departments and labour union leaders took part in the programme.

In Nalgonda, Energy Minister G Jagadish Reddy stated that it was everyone’s responsibility to increase green cover for sufficient rains and for maintaining the ecological balance.

Along with District Collector Gaurav Uppal and MP GuthaSukender Reddy, Jagadish launched the third phase of Haritha Haram at 12th Battalion in Nalgonda district, and also along with District Collector Surendra Mohan at VattiKammampahad in Suryapet district.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister advised officials to make the Haritha Haram a grand success by involving all sections of people. In addition to planting saplings, everyone should take the responsibility of protecting them, he urged.

The Minister said 30,000 saplings that had been planted under Haritha Haram along the NH-65 in Suryapet district would be protected with tree guards and by watering them regularly to create a pleasant experience to commuters.

Meanwhile in Yadadri district, Government Whip Gongidi Sunitha along with Collector Anita Ramachandran, MLC Krishna Reddy planted saplings at Sharajipet of Alermandal.