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Justice to Locals While Protecting the Environment
• Efforts to Safeguard Rights Over 'Jirayat' and D-Patta Lands
• Immediate Action to Clear Encroachments on Upputeru Drain
• CM Chandrababu Reviews Kolleru-Related Issues
• Statewide One-Crore Plantation Drive on June 5
• CM Urges Ministers, Collectors, and Public Representatives to Participate
Amaravati, June 2, 2025: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu stressed the urgent need to protect the environmentally significant Kolleru Lake, while also resolving the problems faced by locals with a humane perspective. On Monday, the Chief Minister held a comprehensive review at the Secretariat on court rulings, regulations, central directives, local conditions, and ecological as well as contour-related matters concerning Kolleru.
Around 3 lakh people reside in the Kolleru contour region, and they have been facing hardships for years. The TDP government from 2014 to 2019 made significant efforts to resolve these issues. In 2018, the National Wildlife Board recommended the exclusion of 20,000 acres of Jirayat and D-Patta lands from the Kolleru sanctuary and proposed new boundaries. A recommendation was sent to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) accordingly. However, after objections were raised, the Centre sought the opinion of the state government.
The YCP government, which came to power in 2019, made no efforts to address the issue. Now, the coalition government led by CM Chandrababu is committed to resolving it. As part of this, the Chief Minister held a detailed review with senior officials and MLAs from the region.
Curbing the Pollution Process in Kolleru
Speaking at the meeting, the CM said, “Kolleru must not turn into a cesspool of pollution. Drain water entering the lake should be properly treated. The unchecked release of drains is polluting Kolleru—this must be stopped. The drains must be desilted to ensure smooth water flow. Encroachments on Upputeru, which carries water from Kolleru to the sea, must be removed. Silt in Upputeru should be cleared, and all outlets must be completely opened to allow free water flow to the sea. Prepare estimates and commence work immediately.”
*On addressing the concerns of farmers, the CM said “there are 20,000 acres of Jirayat and D-Patta lands in the Kolleru area. Given the ongoing contour issues, justice must first be ensured for these farmers. The state's proposals must be submitted to the CEC and the Supreme Court, and efforts made to convince them. The action plan must ensure justice not only to the environment and birds but also to the local people.”
One-Crore Plantation Drive on June 5
To further enhance greenery across the state, the government is taking decisive steps. CM Chandrababu reviewed the matter at the Secretariat and instructed officials to launch a massive tree-planting campaign on June 5, with a target of one crore saplings. He urged collectors, ministers, and public representatives to actively participate.
He further directed that plantations be carried out in educational institutions, hospitals, government offices, bus stations, and along roadways, with proper tree guards.
CM noted that the green cover in the state rose from 29% last year to 30.5% this year. The goal is to increase it to 37% by 2033 and 50% by 2047. He stressed the need for a minimum annual increase of 1.5% in green cover. Satellite imagery must be used to determine the exact extent of green cover, including in the CRDA area. Each planted sapling should be geo-tagged, and the focus should be not just on planting but also on nurturing and protecting the trees.
He suggested encouraging corporate participation under CSR for enhancing greenery in reserved forest areas. In the Amaravati region, all reserved forest areas should be developed using the Miyawaki method, with visible results in three years, he added.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Vijay Anand, senior officials, Deputy Speaker Raghurama Krishnamraju, and MLAs Kamineni Srinivas, Dharma Raju, and Chintamaneni Prabhakar.
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