Plant a sapling in memory of the dead: Minister Harish Rao

HYDERABAD: Finance Minister Harish Rao has emphasised the importance of growing trees during the inauguration of the 12th Grand Nursery.

"Plant a sapling in the memory of the dead," said the Minister. The Minister inaugurated the 12th Grand Nursery Mela at Hyderabad's Necklace Road on Thursday. While the nursery fair will continue till August 22, more than 140 stalls have been set up from all the states across the country. Speaking on this occasion, the Minister said, he is happy to launch the Mela as it is an good opportunity for city dwellers. The nursery also provides a good platform for setting up a home garden, terrace garden, vertical garden and kitchen garden, he added.

Owing to the nurseries, a variety of plant, including better species and grafted plants are available in the nurseries. The nursery also became home to high-yielding plants. The Minister said, "with such nurseries, cultivation of sugarcane will also increase in cities and towns, and therefore the state government is promoting nurseries." Many good species of plants are available in nurseries that would help in environmental protection

In the past, People were not known to the concept of nurseries. "Before the formation of Telangana, the constituency did not even have a nursery. The government is supporting the cultivation of natural forests by paying a green tax," added Harish Rao.

Building on the idea given by Chief Minister KCR, as part of the green plan for Telangana, nurseries have been established in the name of rural nature forests in all 12,751 villages of the state.

"No government is implementing such ideas in the country," said Harish Rao. Increasing the green cover of the state from 24 percent to 33 percent is the current aim behind nurseries. At present, the green cover has increased by 7.6 percent to 31.6 percent as per the figures given by the Centre.

The Minister also added that the State under KCR governance has revived many forests and has called for a large-scale Haritha haram program on August 21 as part of 'Swatantra Bharatha Vajrotsavalu.' People across the state are expected to participate enthusiastically and promote a green and clean environment. The Minister also urged the public to plant saplings on birthdays or any other special occasions to facilitate good health and environment.