AP-GREEN to drive state’s 50% green cover mission

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh is setting up a dedicated institutional framework to accelerate its ambitious target of increasing green cover across the State, with the proposed AP-GREEN bringing multiple afforestation and ecological restoration initiatives under one coordinated platform.

The Andhra Pradesh Society for Greening and Reforestation for Ecological Enrichment (AP-GREEN), being developed under the direction of Deputy Chief Minister and Forest and Environment Minister Pawan Kalyan, aims to raise the State’s forest and green cover to 50% of its geographical area by 2047. At present, notified forest area covers about 22.96%, or 37.42 lakh hectares, of the State.

The initiative will integrate programs involving the Forest, Agriculture, Horticulture, Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, Education, Industries, Water Resources and Urban Local Bodies departments, besides NGOs, CSR organizations, farmers, self-help groups and educational institutions.

The organization will function through a three-tier structure. At the State level, Pawan Kalyan will head the governing council, with AP-GREEN Chairperson and MLC Konidela Nagababu playing a key role in implementation and coordination. An executive committee will oversee operational activities, while district-level green development agencies and mandal-level mechanisms will implement programs on the ground.

Funding will be mobilized from State and Central schemes, NABARD, CSR contributions, carbon finance and credits, green bonds, District Mineral Funds and eco-tourism revenues. The government says public participation will be central to the mission, with citizens, institutions and local communities encouraged to become stakeholders in restoring degraded ecosystems.