Hyderabad: Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla was scheduled to launch a cashew plantation drive covering 35,000 saplings in Medak district on Tuesday. The programme will run along NH-765DG between Ramayampet and Siddipet.
The initiative, taken up under the aegis of Medak MP Madhavaneni Raghunandan Rao, was described as a first-of-its-kind effort in the country. It seeks to put available land along the national highway to productive use while increasing green cover.
According to the programme schedule, Shukla will reach the Integrated District Offices Complex (IDOC) at 2.30 p.m. He will then flag off the Nasha Mukt Bharat rally at 2.40 p.m.
The rally will focus on awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse. In particular, the programme will seek to reach young people with its anti-drug message.
Following the rally, the Governor will interact with students at the IDOC. He will also participate in an interaction programme as part of his visit to the district.
At 2.50 p.m., Shukla will visit the Mahila Shakti stalls at the IDOC. There, he will meet members of Self-Help Groups and interact with them.
Cashew plantation drive to begin at Ramayampet
The main cashew plantation drive was scheduled for 3.30 p.m. near the Swami Vivekananda statue in Ramayampet. The location is close to Amogh Hotel, where the Governor will formally launch the plantation programme.
Shukla was scheduled to participate in the plantation programme until 4.30 p.m. The drive will cover the NH-765DG stretch connecting Ramayampet and Siddipet.
Meanwhile, the programme will also include a meeting with newly elected representatives of the Indian Red Cross Society. The Governor will hold the meeting during his scheduled visit to Medak district.
The plantation initiative aims to combine land use along the highway with environmental sustainability. It will also increase vegetation along the identified stretch through the planting of 35,000 cashew saplings.
The Governor’s visit therefore includes both the plantation programme and several public outreach activities. These include the anti-drug awareness rally, student interaction and engagement with Self-Help Groups.