Hyderabad: The 2025 Vana Mahotsavam is all set to begin with a major native tree plantation drive at the Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTGAU), Rajendranagar, on Monday. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will formally launch the programme on the campus, marking the beginning of this year’s state-wide afforestation efforts.
The drive will start from the university’s Botanical Garden area, which had remained neglected for over a decade. Officials said the land had been overtaken by invasive weeds such as lantana, parthenium, and prosopis juliflora (sarkar rhumma), along with non-native tree species, leaving little space for traditional flora.
Over 30 native species, including wild fruit-bearing trees, flowering varieties, timber species, and bamboo types, will now be planted in a phased manner across the cleared land.
University scientists said the plantation was part of ecological revival plan aimed at restoring the region’s biodiversity and improving soil health. “We are bringing back the species that naturally belong here. This is not just a plantation drive, but an effort to correct ecological imbalance and rebuild our green heritage,” said a senior official from the agroforestry wing.
The university also plans to maintain the newly planted zones, ensuring survival and long-term growth. Awareness sessions and student-led campaigns will be held throughout the week to encourage participation in ecological conservation.
The Chief Minister’s launch of the drive is expected to draw attention to the role of educational institutions in supporting sustainable development and climate resilience. As Telangana faces recurring extreme weather events, officials say such large-scale native plantations will play a vital role in long-term environmental protection.
