The Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) left on an enormous tree plantation drive by including its huge unforeseen of the 18 lakh SHGs women members in the State.

MEPMA Director P Chinnathataiah said, “the tree plantation was taken up to support the government initiative for improving green cover in the State so as to check environment pollution and induce rains.”

Speaking to the media in Tirupati on Wednesday, Chinnathataiah said that “each woman member will take the responsibility of planting only three saplings which they will plant in the open spaces at residences in the cities and town.”

Before planting the trees, he said that “ they will consult the households to take their firm assurance that they will protect it and also give them the choice to name the plants in their premises after their beloved ones. This was to give a sentimental attachment to see the trees are taken care after planting the instead just leaving them to their fate and to ensure 100 per cent survival and success of the plantation programme.”

He added that “a geo-tagging of the trees planted and the woman member of SHG visiting the house at regular interval is also planned. The three-pronged approach sentimental value, geo-tagging and SHG member visit will sure to give rich dividends. The Social Forestry department is roped in to provide the required sampling to SHGs for a planting of a minimum of 54 lakh trees in urban areas in the State. This apart, the women SHGs will be involved in other tree plantation programme taken up by various government bodies and private including schools.”

MEPMA Director held a meeting with the area level Project Directors and authorities of the five regions incorporating four in Rayalaseema and Nellore to evaluate the execution of different plans being actualized by the MEPMA in every locale.

He said that “ the MEPMA had resolved to focus on the welfare of the people residing in the 6,755 slum localities in the 13 districts. Accordingly, with the support of women SHGs, the MEPMA will take up promotion of Chandranna Bima Pathakam to cover the poor mainly the 1.85 crore people engaged in an unorganised sector and also extend the scheme for an education of slum children. Both the initiatives will be taken up from August this year.”

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By M. Divya Shri