– AP-GREEN: Bringing all ‘50% Green Cover’ initiatives onto a single platform
– Coordination of green cover programs under the supervision of Deputy Chief Minister Sri Pawan Kalyan
• Deputy Chief Minister to serve as Chairman of the State-level Governing Council
• Executive Committee functions under the chairmanship of the AP-GREEN Chairman
• Coordination of activities at the district level under the chairmanship of the District Collector
• Action plan involving public participation for increasing greenery and ecological restoration
• Establishment of a robust organizational structure under the leadership of MLC Sri Naga Babu
• Deputy Chief Minister’s plans for ‘mission-mode’ implementation starting from the Mandal level
• Creation of nature-based livelihoods and rural employment opportunities
The state’s journey of progress must unfold in harmony with nature. It must safeguard the state against the impacts of climate change while maintaining ecological balance. We must preserve existing forests and create new ones, bringing every village under a canopy of greenery. The ‘Andhra Pradesh Society for Greening and Reforestation for Ecological Enrichment’ (AP-GREEN) has taken shape based on the vision of Deputy Chief Minister Sri Pawan Kalyan. His vision aims to achieve nature-based livelihood goals in villages by protecting trees and leveraging their produce to generate employment opportunities.
Steps have been initiated to establish AP-GREEN, a platform designed to consolidate all initiatives aimed at creating a lush, clean ecosystem for future generations and achieving 50% green cover. Operating as an autonomous, non-profit entity, AP-GREEN will drive state-wide greening efforts—under the guidance of Sri Pawan Kalyan—by collaborating with the Forest, Agriculture, Horticulture, Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, Education, Industries, Water Resources, and Urban Local Body departments, as well as voluntary organizations, CSR entities, and the general public.
The primary objective of AP-GREEN is to increase the forest and green cover to 50% of Andhra Pradesh’s total geographical area by 2047. Currently, the state has 3.742 million hectares of notified forest area, representing only 22.96% of its total geographical expanse. As part of the 50% green cover goal, the organization will continuously implement action plans devised by the Deputy Chief Minister to safeguard future generations against the impacts of climate change.
Through AP-GREEN, large-scale plantation drives will be undertaken across the state, encompassing farm forestry, agro-forestry, avenue plantations, canal-side planting, shelterbelts, and greening initiatives in both urban and rural areas. This initiative places special emphasis on restoring degraded lands, mining-affected areas, barren lands, and other eco-sensitive zones. The program will establish a state-wide nursery network for the production and distribution of quality saplings, fostering collaboration among the government, private sector, farmers, self-help groups, and educational institutions.
AP-GREEN is committed to achieving a 50% green cover target across both rural and urban areas through active public participation. Its core objectives include promoting tree-based livelihoods, generating rural employment, and undertaking scientific ecological restoration by selecting and cultivating species resilient to climate change. Modern technologies such as GIS, geo-tagging, and digital monitoring will be employed to oversee sapling cultivation, ensure plant survival, and continuously track the expansion of green cover.
Funds for implementing AP-GREEN initiatives will be mobilized from diverse sources, including state government grants, central government schemes, NABARD, CSR funds, carbon finance, carbon credits, green bonds, the District Mineral Fund, and eco-tourism revenues. Under the leadership of Sri Pawan Kalyan and the guidance of AP-GREEN Chairman and MLC Sri Konidela Nagababu, the program will be implemented in ‘mission mode’ by establishing special systems characterized by the utmost transparency and accountability regarding fund utilization and the enhancement of greenery.
