Telangana on Friday launched a massive programme to plant 230 crore saplings over the next three years.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao launched "Telanganaku Haritha Haram" (green garland to Telangana) by planting a sapling at Chilkur Balaji temple in Ranga Reddy district near Hyderabad and called upon people to actively participate in the programme to improve the green cover for a better future. KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, said 40 crore saplings were ready for plantation this year.

"The government will supply the saplings but it's not a government programme. Don't wait for a minister, MP or MLA. It's your programme. It's the responsibility of each one of us to plant trees in open spaces," he said.

He said the programme would continue for four years. As many as 40 lakh saplings will be planted in each assembly constituency. In every village, 40,000 saplings will be planted every year.

Raising concern over fast-depleting green cover leading to scanty rainfall, the chief minister appealed to students, employees, officers, and NGOs to participate in the flagship programme. The objective of the programme is to improve green cover, maintain ecological balance and to ensure sustainable livelihoods. The chief minister also participated in the programme in Medak district. He will visit other district over the next two days. His cabinet colleagues launched the drive by planting saplings in different parts of the state.

KCR had requested President Pranab Mukherjee to launch the programme from holy place of Yadagirigutta in Nalgonda district. However, Mukherjee, who is currently on a southern sojourn here, could not spare the time. The president, however, will be visiting Yadgirigutta temple on Sunday.