Khammam, August 27: Telangana Revenue, Housing, and Information & Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said that trees are essential for human survival and environmental protection, urging people to actively participate in plantation and conservation efforts.

The Minister planted saplings along with Khammam District Collector T.S. Divakara at the Gram Panchayat office premises in Eerragadda village of Thirumalayapalem mandal part of the Vanamahotsavam programme.

Addressing the gathering, Ponguleti said that maintaining ecological balance has become increasingly important as environmental degradation continues to worsen. He noted that the current El Niño conditions are a consequence of ecological imbalance and stressed that planting and protecting trees is the responsibility of every citizen.

He said that providing future generations with clean air and a healthy environment would be the greatest gift society can offer. The Minister called upon Panchayat staff and villagers to adopt and nurture every sapling until it grows into a fully developed tree.

Emphasising that environmental conservation is a shared social responsibility and not merely a government initiative, he urged public representatives, officials, and local communities to work together to increase green cover in every village.

Among those present at the event were PR SE Venkat Reddy, R&B SE Yugandhar Rao, Housing PD Bhukya Srinivas, Khammam RDO N. Srinivas, Tirumalayapalem MPDO Silar Saheb, Tahsildar Wilson, Yerragadda Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Nallamalla Keerthi Neeran Kumar, public representatives, officials, and local residents.