Summary:
Official data states that Telangana has 24 per cent forests, but in effect it would be only 12 per cent. "Only when there is 33 per cent greenery would there be environmental equilibrium. The forest mission should move ahead with the slogan 'jungle bachao, jungle badhao' (protect forests, promote forests), he said.The chief minister said there there was no point in conducting massive tree plantation drives in the state unless the loss of forest cover was checked. This would entail protecting existing forests in toto, rejuvenating lost forests, taking up social forestry in rural areas and lastly to develop greenery in all cities, including Hyderabad and Warangal , towns and urban areas to avoid pollution, a release from the chief minister's office said. HYDERABAD: Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday said the government would act very firmly to check timber and wood smuggling and suggested a four-point multi-pronged strategy to improve green cover.Rao, who held a meeting with officials on protecting forests, said the intelligence wing was involved in identifying those who indulged in illegal felling of forests and smuggling timber and wood.Suggesting a thorough review of the existing forest act of Telangana, Rao said a new Act can be brought out to conserve the forests and to punish the smugglers.He suggested a four point multi-pronged strategy to improve the greenery in the state..