Speaker urges Govt for Removal of Conocarpus Plants in Telangana

Hyderabad: A noteworthy discussion unfolded in the Assembly on Tuesday between BRS MLA Vemula Prashanth Reddy and Assembly Speaker Prasad Kumar.

During this conversation, Prashanth Reddy emphasised the need for the State government to take steps to enhance both forest and tree cover in Telangana. He noted that under the leadership of former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, the BRS government initiated the Telangana ku Haritha Haram program, which is a key initiative aimed at expanding the state's green cover.

Over the course of ten years, this program resulted in the planting of approximately 273 crore saplings at a cost of Rs10,822 crore. Moreover, nurseries and village forests were set up in every village. Prashanth Reddy highlighted that the Haritha Haram initiative has successfully increased the green cover in Telangana by 7 percent.

In response to Prashanth Reddy’s comments, Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar acknowledged that during the BRS administration, a total of 273 crore plants were planted, but noted that among them were many ineffective ones.

He mentioned a specific plant called Conocarpus, which is drought-resistant and can grow in various conditions. However, this plant absorbs oxygen and emits carbon dioxide, and it does not provide a habitat for birds. According to him, these plants are widespread throughout Telangana, found in villages and along roadsides. He urged the State government to remove these plants from all areas of Telangana.