Trees to be must in apartments

HYDERABAD: In view of the declining green cover in urban areas in the wake of the growing apartment culture, the state government will make it mandatory for house owners, builders and developers to leave adequate space for planting of trees, chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy said on Saturday launching the 20-lakh tree plantation scheme at Medpally village of Rangareddy district. In case an old tree has to be cut, five saplings have to be planted in lieu of it in rural areas and tend to them till they grow up, Kiran Kumar Reddy added. He directed the officials to take care of the 20 lakh saplings planted on Saturday across the state. Participating in the 62nd Vanamahotsavams, he said the government is promoting horticulture and social forestry in a a big way by earmarking `250 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Barren, forest lands and open spaces would be chosen to execute the programme. He said 134 acres at Medipally village in Rangareddy district would be developed on the lines of Kasu Brahmananda Reddy Park in Hyderabad, including constructing walkways for people.Minister for forests and environment S Vijayarama Raju said last year the government booked 43,700 persons for cutting and smuggling trees and levied a fine of `28.64 crore.