AP Green chairman Konidela Nagendra Rao inspecting the green cover of AP at Suryalanka

VIJAYAWADA: AP Green executive committee chairman and MLC Konidela Nagendra Rao, who is popularly known as Nagababu, has called for a long-term, 20-year approach to environmental protection, stressing the need to expand green cover, protect coastal ecosystems and turn environmental conservation into a people’s movement.Speaking to the media at Suryalanka beach in Bapatla district on Thursday after planting palm saplings with students, Nagababu said increasing green cover was essential to maintaining climate balance, protecting biodiversity and ensuring the survival of various species.“Planting a sapling should not be treated as a programme but as a social responsibility to protect the future of coming generations,” he said, adding that environmental conservation could not be achieved through one- or two-year initiatives and required sustained efforts based on long-term planning.He said environmental plans should look at least 20 years ahead and identify the types of trees suitable for different regions based on their future ecological requirements. Particular attention should be given to developing palm trees and mangrove forests along the coast, which can serve as natural barriers during cyclones, tsunamis and other disasters.Nagababu said programmes such as the AP great green wall should be used to create wider public awareness. Students, youth and people from all sections of society should be encouraged not only to plant saplings but also to nurture them until they grow into healthy trees. He appreciated the measures being taken by officials to protectOlive Ridley turtlesat Suryalanka and said conservation of natural resources and rare species was an integral part of environmental protection.Earlier, Nagababu visited the AP Forest Development Corporation resort at Suryalanka and held discussions with forest officials. He also visited the art gallery and exhibition organised by the Forest Department at the urban forest. He later planted palm saplings along the coast with students of Bapatla Engineering College, NCC cadets and local residents.The officials explained the importance of palm trees in preventing coastal erosion and briefed him on the AP great green wall project.Nagababu also inspected palm trees planted around two decades ago that have now grown into a natural protective barrier along the coastline. He subsequently visited the mangrove forests through the backwaters.Bapatla MLA Vegesana Narendra Varma, PCCF P V Chalapathi Rao, Bapatla district collector V Vinod Kumar, director social audit Dr G Srikanth, forest adviser Mallikharjuna Rao, CCF BN Murthy, CF Y Srinivasa Reddy and Bapatla DFO Sowjanya were also present.

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