Hanamkonda: Afforestation tackles climate change

Hanamkonda: Afforestation is the only sustainable and most effective way of tackling climate change, Kakatiya University (KU) Registrar Prof K Purushotham said. Taking part in the Haritha Haram programme on the premises of School of Distance Learning and Continuing Education (SDLCE) here on Tuesday, he said that people's participation is a must for massive plantation drive.

"Global warming is a harsh reality. We need to gird up our loins to mitigate it. Environment conservation is not only confined to government and should equally concern the people. Plantation drive was not only the duty of the government, but it should become a mass movement," Prof Purushotham said.

Plants are vital to reverse the trend of rising greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel burning and forest destruction, he added.

He said that onus is on every single citizen to preserve the environment for the sake of future generations. He appreciated the SDLCE Director Prof Guguloth Veeranna for taking lead to organise Haritha Haram.

"Students need to understand that their participation in the plantation drive is of immense help to the society. Apart from excelling in academics, students should also focus on social issues," Prof Veeranna said. He emphasised the need for participating in social work, especially in Haritha Haram, the flagship programme of the Telangana government to improve the forest cover in the State.

Trees absorb and store the carbon dioxide emissions that are causing global warming, he added. He said that SDLCE students and staff have been actively participating in the plantation drive every year.

SDLCE assistant registrar G Sarala Devi, course coordinators Dr Kotte Bhaskar, Dr S Bikshapathi and Media In-charge Dr Sangala Ephraim Raj, MBA and MCA students in large numbers participated in the plantation drive.