Pawan Pulls Up Officials Over Forest Protection Lapses
Pawan sought details on efforts to retrieve valuable red sanders wood seized in countries including China, Japan and Singapore, and directed officials to coordinate with the Union environment ministry for its return.
Vijayawada:Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Friday pulled up forest department officials over delays in implementing green initiatives and lapses in protecting forest land and resources.
Reviewing the department’s functioning at the Velagapudi Secretariat, he stressed that Andhra Pradesh must achieve 50 per cent green cover under the Swarna Andhra Vision-2047 and questioned officials over the slow progress of projects such as the Great Green Wall initiative.
Pawan sought details on efforts to retrieve valuable red sanders wood seized in countries including China, Japan and Singapore, and directed officials to coordinate with the Union environment ministry for its return.
He ordered the formation of the AP Green Society within a week and called for the distribution of 2.5 crore seed balls across the state in June through a mass public campaign involving students, self-help groups, NGOs and volunteers.
The Deputy Chief Minister also directed officials to take strict action against forest encroachments, implement satellite-based monitoring of forest boundaries and ensure mandatory green cover compliance by industries.
