N Chandrababu Naidu Cycles in Vizag, Sets 50% Green Cover Goal
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday cycled 5.5 km through Visakhapatnam as part of World Environment Day celebrations, using the occasion to advocate environmental conservation, sustainable mobility and an increase in the State’s green cover.
The Chief Minister participated in a programme at the Andhra University Engineering College Grounds, where he planted a sapling and announced an ambitious target of increasing Andhra Pradesh’s green cover to 50%.
Addressing students, faculty members and officials, Mr. Naidu said rising temperatures and extreme weather events underscored the urgency of environmental action. “Environmental protection is a shared responsibility. Every individual has a role in safeguarding nature,” he said.
Mr. Naidu directed Andhra University to transform its 450-acre campus into a model green and net-zero campus. Noting that the university currently has about 25% green cover, he asked the authorities to increase it to 50%.
He proposed a series of measures, including expanding tree plantation in vacant spaces, installing solar panels on campus buildings, developing a biodiversity park, converting organic waste into compost, establishing waste-to-energy systems, producing biogas from biodegradable waste, recycling wastewater and promoting electric bicycles for mobility within the campus.
The Chief Minister also proposed the formation of a dedicated team of professors to spearhead the university’s net-zero initiative and said the institution should emerge as a global centre for environmental studies and sustainability.
Mr. Naidu said the State government would implement focused measures to reduce pollution in Visakhapatnam, particularly in areas surrounding the port and industrial zones.
Highlighting the government’s afforestation efforts, he said Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan was spearheading an initiative to distribute and plant 25 million seed balls across Andhra Pradesh.
He also announced plans to develop dedicated cycling tracks in Visakhapatnam to encourage eco-friendly transportation and healthier lifestyles.
The cycling rally commenced at the Andhra University Engineering College Grounds and passed through 3-Town Police Station Junction, Polamamba Temple, VUDA Park, YMCA and Beach Road before concluding at Novotel.
Despite the afternoon heat, the Chief Minister completed the 5.5-km ride in about 21 minutes. Union Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, public representatives, officials and local residents joined the rally, which aimed to raise public awareness about environmental conservation.