AP Govt to develop green cover in state

Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 26 (ANI): The Andhra Pradesh Government on Tuesday set a new target of developing green cover across at least 50 percent of the state by 2029.

In order to achieve the target, the Ministry of Forests has taken up 'Vanam-Manam' project.

Under this project, planting of 25 crores saplings will be completed by November 4, informed Forest Minister Sidda Raghava Rao. He held state level forest department officials' workshop and review meeting in Amaravati.

Rao informed that check dams are being built in forest areas for increasing water levels in forest areas. He added urban forestation is also being taken special care of.

The Forest Minister also stated that manpower will be adjusted internally to tackle red sandal smugglers' menace in Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu borders. He said that 250 weapons bought from UK are to get customs clearance, and the ministry sanctioned amount for payment.

He further added that the forests' ministry took up 20 eco-tourism projects across the state, of which eight will be ready by December 2017. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI