Latest news with #Surekha
Hans India
09-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
Govt targets 47.64 lakh palm & toddy saplings in Vanamahotsavam drive
Hyderabad: The Telangana government has decided to cultivate Palm and Toddy seedlings during the upcoming Vanamahotsavam in the state, with planting targets set at 47.64 lakh over the next two years. For the 2025 planting season, the total plantations will be 24.86 lakh (approximately 25 lakh), followed by 22.78 lakh (approximately 22.86 lakh) in the 2026 season. Nurseries established by the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department have raised 45.37 lakh palm seedlings and 5.04 lakh toddy seedlings. As part of the Vanamahotsavam programme, Forest Minister Konda Surekha stated that the government has decided to plant 47.64 lakh palm and toddy saplings across the state. Appropriate orders have been issued to forest officials in this regard, with the target set to be achieved within a two-year period. The Forest Department alone plans to plant 5.04 lakh palm saplings. Overall, the department is proceeding with a target of planting 18.02 crore saplings across the state during this year's Vanamahotsavam. Minister Surekha is leading efforts to increase Telangana's forest area from 24.05 per cent to 33 per cent, in line with the National Forest Policy. The government had set a broader target of 18.02 crore saplings for this year. To ensure this year's Vanamahotsavam is a success, 20 crore saplings were already prepared in 14,355 nurseries across the state.
Hans India
14-06-2025
- Hans India
Temple tourism in state will get a shot in the arm: Surekha
Hyderabad: The Telangana government has decided to place a significant focus on temple tourism across the state. Endowments Minister Konda Surekha on Friday instructed departmental officials to prioritise this area and to develop concrete proposals. The Minister affirmed the state government's commitment to the initiative, announcing that this year, the Ashadha Masam Bonalu Jatara at the Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal would be organised in a truly grand manner. She expressed her desire to bring every festival and cultural tradition of the state closer to the people, stating that her government would make every effort to guide the populace towards a devotional path. Minister Surekha directed officials to ensure transparent utilisation of Common Good Fund (CGF) monies for the comprehensive development of temples. The Endowment Department CGF Committee meeting took place at the Secretariat on Friday, where Minister Surekha conducted a review of the funds earmarked for the development of smaller temples across the state. The Minister opined that the dedication of Executive Officers (EOs) and senior departmental officials was crucial for temple development. As part of the CGF discussions, officials presented information to the Minister regarding the funds allocated for the development of minor temples. The Minister directed officials to proceed with a plan to enhance facilities for devotees in temples across the state and to increase the income streams of these religious institutions. She called for more extensive work on developing temple tourism circuits. The government, she revealed, plans to combine three major temples within a district into a single circuit, with this process to be implemented in three phases. The aim is to transport devotees and tourists to famous temples, while also allowing them to visit other tourist spots along the designated routes.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Forest officials told to celebrate ‘Vana Mahotsavam' as grand festival
Hyderabad: Forests and endowments minister on Wednesday directed forest officials to celebrate the upcoming 'Vana Mahotsavam 2025' with the spirit of a grand festival in Telangana. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During a review meeting, she pointed out that chief minister A Revanth Reddy was committed to making the plantation drive a success through wide public participation. Referring to the early arrival of monsoon this year, she directed officials to make use of this opportunity by beginning the plantation drive immediately. The plantation drive will be conducted intensively during the peak monsoon in June, July, and August, and the target was to plant over 20 crore saplings. Officials were told to ensure 100% achievement. Saplings will also be distributed to households to promote greenery at the doorstep. She said that public demands for saplings must be addressed proactively, and the varieties should include flowering plants such as rose, hibiscus, oleander, and fruit-bearing plants such as guava, custard apple, amla, black plum, drumstick, tulsi, neem, tamarind, soapnut, toddy palm and palm. 109 petitions submitted during face-to-face programme Earlier in the day, Surekha received as many as 109 petitions during the face-to-face programme at Gandhi Bhavan. The petitions mostly pertained to Indiramma houses and new ration cards. The minister said that all the petitions were forwarded to the respective departments for early redressal of grievances.
Hans India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Konda Surekha reviews on Bonalu festival, gives directions to officials
Minister Konda Surekha announced that a meeting was held with officials from all departments on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming Bonalu Festival. The government has requested Rs. 30 crore for the festivities, with Rs. 20 crore already allocated. Last year's celebration occurred smoothly, although there were issues in a few areas. This year, efforts are underway to ensure a seamless event, with special attention given to preventing stampedes during VIP moments. Minister Surekha emphasised the importance of ensuring that Joginis do not encounter any difficulties during the festivities. She expressed a desire to improve the celebrations compared to previous years, noting the positive feedback received from devotees from neighbouring states during the recent Saraswati Pushkaras. Officials have been instructed to maintain a professional demeanour, treat all attendees with respect, and facilitate smooth darshan. Minister Ponnam Prabhakar added that officials should revise the 2024 action plan and prepare adequately for 2025, ensuring that mistakes from the previous year are not repeated. The Bonalu festivities will commence with the first Bonam at Golkonda Jagadambika Ammavari. A comprehensive action plan is in progress to ensure the successful execution of various events, including the Golkonda Jatara, Balkampet Yellamma Thalli annual wedding, and the Ammavari Ambari procession. Minister Prabhakar noted that with the addition of new temples, an extra 10 per cent of funding may be necessary and urged a swift completion of the endowment and revenue department cheque distribution. Both ministers highlighted the collective responsibility of all departments to uphold the sanctity of the event, with an emphasis on serving the Goddess rather than merely fulfilling a duty. They expressed hope that the festival will proceed without issues, blessed by the Goddess.
Hans India
06-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
TG govt rolls up sleeves to paint the state green
Hyderabad: Telangana is poised to launch Vana Mahotsavam 2025 as a statewide social movement with the clear goal of achieving 100 per cent of its ambitious plantation target of 18.03 crore saplings. Environment Minister Konda Surekha recently conducted a comprehensive review of the preparations at the State Secretariat with senior officials from the Forest Department, Municipal Administration, and allied departments. The focus was on ensuring inter-departmental coordination, the timely distribution of saplings, and active public engagement to ensure this year's target is fully met during the peak monsoon months of June, July, and August. 'Vana Mahotsavam 2025 is not just about planting trees; it's about planting a sense of responsibility in every citizen. When communities come together for a greener tomorrow, it becomes more than a campaign—it becomes a movement. We are not just increasing forest cover; we are restoring the balance between nature and our daily lives,' stated Konda Surekha, highlighting the vision behind this year's programme. Plantation drives will be rolled out across all districts, mandals, villages, and municipalities starting from June. The programme is being treated as a flagship green initiative, with special efforts to integrate it into community routines and institutional landscapes. Following a strong performance in 2024, where 19.04 crore saplings were planted out of the 20.02 crore target (a 95 per cent success rate), the state aims to hit the 100 per cent benchmark this year. The target for 2026 has already been set at 16.06 crore saplings, reflecting a long-term vision for environmental sustainability. To achieve scale and inclusivity, village-level nurseries will play a key role in raising and distributing saplings locally. This decentralised model is intended to boost community involvement and ensure timely access to plant material. Officials were directed to rectify past mistakes through improved planning, tighter execution, and stronger monitoring mechanisms. The public is being encouraged to plant saplings at home, with arrangements in place to meet specific species requests from citizens. 'Our goal of 100 per cent plantation is ambitious, but not impossible, because it is rooted in collective effort. Every sapling planted today is a step towards ecological justice and climate resilience for future generations. Nature doesn't need us; we need nature. This is our chance to give back and grow forward together,' said Surekha . The plantation plan features a rich variety of species tailored to local ecological conditions. These include flowering plants such as rose, hibiscus, and oleander, along with fruit-bearing trees like custard apple, guava, amla, black plum, and drumstick. Emphasis is also being placed on medicinal and traditional species such as neem, tamarind, soapnut, toddy palm, tulsi, and date palm. Sites identified for plantation include roadsides, lake bunds, agricultural fields, government institutions, schools, hospitals, temples, and anganwadis, ensuring a wide geographical and social footprint. Officials have been asked to fast-track implementation. Region-specific strategies are being developed to ensure species selection aligns with local climatic and soil conditions, thereby improving survival rates and long-term ecological impact.
