AMARAVATI: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has issued a strong warning to those involved in illegal deforestation. He made it clear that his government will take strict action against anyone caught smuggling or damaging the forests.
Naidu made these remarks during the Vanamahotsav event on Friday at the Eco Park in Mangalagiri. He cautioned that individuals entering forests with harmful intentions would face serious consequences.
The event was also attended by Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. Together with Naidu, they planted saplings as part of the nationwide tree-planting festival. Naidu strongly emphasized that the state government would no longer tolerate any activities that harm Andhra Pradesh’s natural resources.
During his speech, Naidu criticized the previous five-year rule of the YSR Congress Party. He accused them of causing significant environmental damage, including the destruction of rivers, lakes, and hills throughout the state. He urged students to understand the importance of greenery and the need to protect the environment. Naidu further stated that his government is committed to increasing the green cover in the state, declaring, “We will plant trees and will not allow anyone to cut them down—this is our policy.”
Looking ahead, Naidu expressed his goal to increase Andhra Pradesh’s green cover by 50% in the coming years. He also stressed the importance of turning tree-planting initiatives into a mass movement to create pollution-free power. He encouraged everyone to contribute to maintaining environmental balance, with the aim of making Andhra Pradesh a model state for biodiversity.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also spoke at the event. He pledged to plant one crore saplings during Vanamahotsav and urged every citizen to take responsibility for nurturing trees. Kalyan encouraged people to plant trees wherever there is vacant land and mentioned that in Konaseema, coconut trees are treated with the same respect as the eldest son.
