Hyderabad: Siddipet driver slapped fine for ramming a tree

Hyderabad: The man in-charge of Haritha Haram in Siddipet imposed a fine of Rs 9,500 on the driver of a vehicle who damaged a tree. The sapling had reportedly been planted as part of the Telangana state government’s prestigious Haritha Haram project. The driver of the vehicle rammed the tree which was planted near the medical college in Siddipet town.

Mr lliah, of the forest department, who is in-charge of the Haritha Haram and who imposed the fine, told the media: “We are spending one lakh on the plants. Whoever destroys or cuts them will be slapped with a fine. With the clear instruction from (the minister) Harish Rao, we are trying hard to make Siddipet, Haritha Siddi-pet.” He said he appreciated help from the police and municipal officials in taking care of the plants.

As many as 175 crore saplings have been planted, both within and outside forests, since the launch of the greening campaign in 2015-16.