Date:03/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/03/stories/2008080359590300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

Plantation drive launched

Staff Reporter

Students watering a sapling in Vijayawada on Saturday.

VIJAYAWADA: With the objective of planting one lakh saplings in the city in a span of 10 days, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) launched a massive plantation programme on Saturday.

Lagadapati Rajagopal, MP, was the chief guest at the inaugural of the drive held at SRR & CVR Government Degree College, in which Mayor Mallika Begum, Municipal Commissioner P.S. Pradyumna and other officials were present.

The aim

Mr. Rajagopal called upon students to plant at least a sapling each. He wanted the city to be green and pollution-free for the future generations. Ms. Begum said that the aim was to plant 50,000 saplings on the road margins and the remaining 50,000 in residential areas. The corporation was supplying different varieties of saplings to residents who were interested in going green.

Mr. Pradyumna said monsoon was the convenient season for the launch of plantation programme.

Deputy Mayor S. Narasaraju said improving greenery in the city was the need of the hour. Plantation was taken up on Andhra Bank Road in Machavaram, Nagarjuna Nagar and Srinivasa Bank Colony, J.D. Nagar, Arul Nagar and Gangireddula Dibba and surrounding areas on the first day. Floor leaders Kalapala Ambedkar (Congress), P. Gautham Reddy (CPI) and others were present.