Pawan Kalyan Urges Industries to Make 33% Green Cover a Priority

Deputy Chief Minister and Forest and Environment Minister Pawan Kalyan has urged industries across Andhra Pradesh to pursue economic growth while giving equal priority to environmental protection and strict compliance with ecological regulations.

He urged industrial establishments to develop and maintain at least 33 per cent green cover within their premises, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Pollution Control Board. Pawan Kalyan said industry leaders should view the initiative not merely as a regulatory requirement but as a social responsibility.

According to him, increasing tree cover around industrial facilities can help reduce air pollution, soften the effects of climate change and improve the quality of life for communities living nearby. He stressed that Andhra Pradesh’s long-term development would depend on striking the right balance between economic expansion and ecological protection.

The Deputy Chief Minister directed the Pollution Control Board and AP-Green to take focused steps to ensure the 33 per cent green-cover requirement is implemented across all categories of industries. As per 2026 estimates, nearly 3,400 industries and companies operating in sectors such as ports, cement, mining, energy, food processing, plastics, paper and textiles are spread across thousands of acres in the state.

He said authorities had already undertaken a 14-day special drive to advance the initiative. In the first phase of a pilot programme, green-development work was completed across 129 acres covering 26 industries.

Pawan Kalyan appreciated the industries that participated in the programme and urged others to join the effort. He placed particular emphasis on industrial units located close to major urban centres, including Visakhapatnam, saying effective measures were needed to protect residents from the impact of pollution.

He also made it clear that Special Economic Zones, including Sri City and Parawada, must comply with the 33 per cent green-cover norm. Calling for greater participation from the industrial sector, he urged companies to contribute to Andhra Pradesh’s broader target of achieving 50 per cent green cover by 2047.

Pawan Kalyan said sustainable progress could only be achieved when development and environmental conservation advance together, ensuring a cleaner and healthier future for generations to come.