Dear Mr. Naidu

In popular imagination you are one of the pioneer Chief Ministers in India who brought about a sea change in Andhra Pradesh during your last tenure.  It was under your leadership that the state became a hotspot of IT investment.

That visionary zeal is once again needed as you engage in rebuilding a new Andhra Pradesh.

You are aware that a very large number of people (last reported 1700) have died in Andhra Pradesh due to the current intense heat wave.  We are sure that you are also aware of the fact that in the last 20 years, Andhra Pradesh is one of the states that has lost the largest forest cover in the country. Deforestation and degradation of forests are prolific in Andhra and Telangana. It is reported that since 2012, more than 100 sq. km of forests have been encroached and more than 300 sq. km of forests have been degraded. 

The question to ask clearly is about the connect between disappearing forest cover and the current heat wave. A sign of climate change which needs urgent policy and ground level action.

You are inviting new investment in the state.  People engaged in knowledge industries especially IT are mobile and like to live in comfortable, breathe friendly and green environments.  It makes sense to create 'green guidelines' that make it mandatory for real estate developers,  IT and other manufacturing companies as also educational institutions, hospitals, and export processing zones  to plant and protect large forests.  There could be many ways, such as inviting corporates to collaborate with the forest department to develop private forests if that course fits in line.  Making it essential for real estate developers to grow a minimum number of trees within a housing complex area is another route for adding 'in-city' tree cover.  The concept of 'city forests' is clearly a way forward if we want to breathe and live easy amidst growing pollution and construction in our cities. ‎Residential welfare associations should be given free saplings for tree plantation during important festivals in appreciation of mother earth. ‎ 

Ideas and innovations could be many, what is needed is the political will and leadership to forest the state.  Who better can take this pioneering initiative than you. You have the mandate, the vision and a serious environmental challenge that can be countered with timely thinking and action.  If it is not dealt with in a decisive and creative way, no amount of incentives will motivate people to come and be part of the dream that you are weaving in Andhra Pradesh. I am sure under your leadership Andhra would lead the country in “Reforestration”.

Thanking You!!