Andhra Pradesh Government’s Latest Initiative – Vanam Manam

The government of Andhra Pradesh has decided to launch the Vanam Manam programme on 29 July in hope of improving the green cover in the state atleast by 50 percent. At present, the green cover in the state is at 26 percent and the idea is to improve that by 2029. “One crore saplings will be planted on the 29th. I urge 5 crore people to take part in this programme. Let us increase the green cover in AP by 50%. Join us to turn Andhra Pradesh into Haritha Andhra Pradesh”, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu said. He urged officials to use the Krishna Pushkaralu as a platform to spread the green message.

The idea is to make the programme a success with the active participation of the people, rather than just another government programme. Pravin Kumar, Collector of Visakhapatnam, said in a press conference that public is the stakeholder and he encouraged plantation of saplings in every open space available. Amongst the one crore plants to be planted all over the state, 20 lakh saplings are to be planted in Visakhapatnam as a part of the initiative. The plantation in Visakhapatnam is said to start from Kambalakonda eco park and Y Ramakrishnudu, District In-charge Minister; Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Ch Ayyana Patrudu will plant the saplings.  

The planted saplings will be geo-tagged by the AP Government so that they can be monitored on a regular basis. The photographs of the saplings are to be uploaded on to the state website for better monitoring. Earlier, the government had geo-tagged saplings in Visakhapatnam after Hudhud. It is now mandatory for each government office to have atleast 100 plants.

After the state government’s announcement about Vanam Manam, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam management has decided to be a part of the initiative. D Sambasiva Rao, Executive Officer of TTD has called upon employees, volunteers and even devotees to help make the programme a success. The plan is to transform Tirupati before the Brahmotsavams that are scheduled in October. He has asked the officials of the garden department to take up a beautification programme all over the city in addition to putting up a vertical garden at the Tarigonda Vengamamba free meal complex.