'Great Green Wall of AP' : Dy CM Pawan Kalyan unveils ambitious project to increase green cover to 50%

Amaravati: Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has unveiled an ambitious `Great Green Wall of AP’ project to increase the state's green cover to 50 percent.

Under the project, the key focus will be on coastal protection, disaster resilience, and ecological conservation.

Under this initiative, the government plans to develop a five-kilometre-wide green belt along the entire coastline, primarily using mangroves, casuarina, palm, and other suitable species.

Officials informed that 402 km of the State’s coastline is already covered with plantations up to a width of 500 metres. A comprehensive road map for the project has been ordered to be prepared by the end of January.

Given Andhra Pradesh’s long and vulnerable coastline, the project aims to strengthen natural barriers against cyclones, erosion, and climate-related disasters while enhancing ecological balance.

Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds the forest portfolio, directed officials to treat coastal forest protection and prevention of encroachments as a top priority, underscoring the state’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental security.

Three-Phase Implementation :

The programme will be implemented in three phases.

Phase I: Will focus on dense plantations along the immediate coastal belt.

Phase II: Will cover plantations along canals, roads, and streams close to the coast.

Phase III: Will promote agro-forestry in farmlands, providing additional income opportunities to farmers.

Funding for the project will be mobilised through multiple sources, including MISTY, CAMPA, the Green Climate Fund, CSR contributions, and MGNREGS. Emphasis has been placed on community participation and strict control of encroachments. A study has also been ordered to assess CRZ land availability, covering forest, private, and institutional lands.

Local coastal communities will be entrusted with the protection of plantations and forest lands. Achieving 50 per cent green cover has been described as a prestigious target set by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, to be pursued in mission mode. A multi-departmental task force will be constituted to ensure coordinated implementation.

Mission for 50% Green Cover :

District-wise action plans will be prepared under the leadership of District Collectors. A special task force comprising departments such as Forest, Horticulture, Irrigation, Tribal Welfare, Industries, and the Pollution Control Board will oversee execution, with weekly reviews and time-bound implementation mandated.

Mangrove Conservation :

The government has identified 10,000 acres of un-notified mangroves through satellite imagery and has initiated steps to notify and protect them from encroachments. Awareness campaigns will be conducted among coastal communities and local leaders to promote the conservation of mangroves.