His passion is to inspire people to plant saplings. Their goal is to continuously expand the green cover to fight climate change. For this, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Rajya Sabha member Joginpalli Santosh Kumar instigates every individual and organization that comes in his way. The 44-year-old politician says, “Community participation to bring about change can only be ensured by trying to convince people.”
Kumar launched the Green India Challenge, a citizens’ initiative with the slogan ‘Hare hai to bhara hai (If it is green, it is bountiful)’ on July 17, 2018. Through this network, he has inspired celebrities, film actors, sportspersons and politicians to plant saplings and donate generously for the green cause. In return, many celebrities have started their own planting series.
Actor Pudipeddi Sai Kumar rallied fans to plant saplings on his birthday (July 27) for the third year in a row. “On my 61st birthday, I gave medicinal plants as gifts to my relatives,” he says. Sai Kumar is not alone. On his 58th birthday on July 4, TRS MLA and former Telangana Environment Minister Jogu Ramanna made arrangements to plant one lakh saplings in his native Adilabad district.
Kumar set the trend in 2019 by adopting the 2,042-acre Kesar Gutta Reserve Forest near Hyderabad. He has spent Rs 3 crore from his MP Local Area Development Fund and family resources to plant 60,000 saplings. Last year, actor Prabhas came forward to develop the 1,650-acre Kazipalli Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The Baahubali actor, who made an initial contribution of Rs 2 crore, says, “I believe developing greenery creates extra space in the lungs and that makes me happy.”
Hyderabad-based Hetero Drugs Ltd Chairman and MD B Parthasaradhi Reddy has adopted 2,543 acres of Mumbapur-Nallaveli reserve forest in Sangareddy district and provided Rs 5 crore as initial grant. Megha Engineering, Hyderabad is all set to adopt the 5,500-acre Rachakonda Reserve Forest. Individuals and companies form a line to adopt 88 green patches in Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority limits.
While the tree plantation drive in the forests is done in consultation with the Forest Department, those who are making their homes and neighborhood green are growing common tree varieties like Neem, Gulmohar, Peepal and Mango. Then there are those who have started using social events to gift plants to others. How does Kumar inspire so many people? “Talk of nature is a bright way to start a conversation with a new acquaintance. It brings joy, satisfaction, and happiness to both of you,” he says.
,