Speaker Raises Concerns Over Conocarpus Trees in Telangana Assembly
A discussion on the Haritha Haaram afforestation programme led to a debate in the Telangana Legislative Assembly. Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar raised concerns about the large-scale planting of Conocarpus trees under the initiative.
During the session, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA Vemula Prashanth Reddy highlighted the previous government’s achievements. He stated that 200 crore saplings had been planted, resulting in a 7% increase in forest cover across the state. However, Speaker Prasad Kumar pointed out that many of these saplings were Conocarpus trees, which he described as harmful to the environment.
The Speaker warned that Conocarpus trees do not contribute significantly to oxygen production and fail to provide a natural habitat for birds. While the BRS MLA argued that only a small number of these trees were planted, Prasad Kumar insisted that their presence was widespread. He noted that they are commonly found along highways, road dividers, and other locations.
The Speaker urged the government to take immediate action to remove these trees. His remarks have sparked fresh discussions about the ecological impact of Conocarpus trees and whether they are suitable for afforestation in Telangana.
