As part of its efforts to increase green cover, the Forest Department has undertaken a special campaign to make industries fill 33% of their land premises with trees and plants, preferably with native species, with the involvement of the AP Pollution Control Board.

In the first phase that concluded on August 11, a total of 26 industries (one each from 26 districts) planted 43,300 saplings in a total of 129 acres.

This drive is being extended to other industries across the State under instructions from Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Environment & Forests K. Pawan Kalyan, according to an official release.

The idea is to achieve industrial progress, while raising greenery so that the environment will be protected, and filling 33% of their lands with trees and plants is being made mandatory to industries.

Priority has been given to suitable native species based on local climatic conditions and soil quality, along with fruit-bearing trees, ornamental plants, and species such as neem, cluster bean, drumstick and coconut.

Mr. Pawan Kalyan has emphasised that industries should not only focus on productivity and job creation but also maintain environmental balance, hence the mandate to make them partners in achieving the State’s green cover target.

It may be noted that the Andhra Pradesh Government targets to increase the green cover to 50% by the year 2047 and has set an interim goal of 37% to be achieved by 2030.

Published - August 19, 2026 07:58 pm IST