In a remarkable tribute to Telangana’s visionary leader K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), environmental enthusiasts launched a massive plantation drive in the Sundarbans on his 72nd birthday, February 17. Over 10,000 mangrove saplings were planted across the ecologically vital delta region spanning the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna river basins.
KCR, the architect of Telangana and its first Chief Minister, has long championed green initiatives. His flagship Haritha Haram program transformed the state into a model of sustainable development, planting millions of trees and earning it the moniker ‘Green Telangana.’ Under his leadership, forests expanded, groundwater levels stabilized, and biodiversity flourished, setting a national benchmark.
This Sundarbans initiative, led by former Rajya Sabha member Joginapalli Santosh Kumar, builds on the Green India Challenge launched in 2018. That movement has already planted 195 million trees and revived over 20,000 water bodies, uniting youth, officials, corporates, and communities nationwide.
The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage site covering nearly 10,000 square kilometers, faces severe threats from cyclones like Aila, Amphan, Yaas, and Sitrang. Saline intrusion, erratic rainfall, and soil degradation have decimated mangrove cover, which acts as a natural shield against storms, tidal surges, and erosion while supporting rich marine life.
Participants, including students, locals, and activists, rolled up their sleeves to plant the saplings, symbolizing renewed commitment to coastal resilience. ‘KCR’s legacy inspires us to protect these vital ecosystems for future generations,’ said Santosh Kumar. The event underscores how individual leadership can ignite nationwide environmental action.
As the saplings take root, they promise to bolster the Sundarbans’ defenses, preserving its unique biodiversity and safeguarding millions of livelihoods. This green salute to KCR reaffirms that environmental stewardship remains central to India’s development narrative.