‘Ma ke Naam ek Ped’ campaign in Telangana soon, says CM Revanth Reddy

This initiative would help in growing lakhs of trees across the State. All the modalities and guidelines would be announced shortly, Chief Minister said after formally inaugurating Experium, an immersive park at Proddatur near Chilkur temple on Tuesday. Tollywood star Chiranjeevi and other elected representatives were also present

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced that the State government was coming up with a new tree planting initiative ‘Ma ke Naam ek Ped’, as part of which each student would have to plant a sapling in their mother’s name in their schools and ensure its survival.

This initiative would help in growing lakhs of trees across the State. All the modalities and guidelines would be announced shortly, he said after formally inaugurating Experium, an immersive park at Proddatur near Chilkur temple on Tuesday. Tollywood star Chiranjeevi and other elected representatives were also present.

---

Stating that Vikarabad region would be developed as an ecotourism destination, the Chief Minister complimented R Ramdev Rao for developing the park in the region and paving for ecotourism development.

The State government was coming up with a Tourism Policy, including eco-tourism in a big way. The sprawling 150-acre Experium eco-tourism park established by Ramdev Rao would not only aid in generating revenues for him but also get recognition for the State as well, the Chief Minister said.

“The park that we are witnessing today is only 30 percent developed and in another year or so, it will emerge as a beautiful tourist destination,” Revanth Reddy said.

The State government was also making plans to promote cultivation of commercial crops. When such parks were established, there would be scope for purchasing saplings raised by farmers, he said.

Telangana was raising saplings in nurseries but they were being raised for six months to one year. After plantations, the survival rate of the saplings was ranging between 20 to 30 percent, he said, adding that instructions would be issued to Tourism and Forest Ministers to use saplings that were raised for two to three years to ensure their survival.

Chief Minister gets confused between leprosy, TB patients

Explaining the significance of the Vikarabad forests to Chiranjeevi, Revanth Reddy said in the past, leprosy patients used to be treated at Vikarabad as the region was replete with medicinal plants. Due to the fresh air, the leprosy patients used to get cured within two to three months, he said.

As the Chief Minister was continuing to stress about leprosy patient treatment in the region, Chevella MLA Kale Yadaiah went up to him and corrected him, saying it was tuberculosis patients who were treated there.