Nagababu Gets Cabinet Rank as AP-GREEN Executive Committee Chairperson

Andhra Pradesh is stepping up efforts to expand its green cover and strengthen environmental conservation, with the state government giving greater institutional focus to forest restoration and ecological protection. As part of the initiative, MLC Konidela Nagendra Rao (Nagababu), the brother of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, has been appointed Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Andhra Pradesh Society for Greening and Reforestation for Ecological Enrichment (AP-GREEN).

The Environment and Forest Department issued G.O. No. 93 on Monday, formally notifying the appointment. The government has also accorded Cabinet rank to Nagababu in his new role. He is expected to assume charge shortly.

The appointment comes as the state pursues an ambitious long-term objective of increasing its forest and green cover. The government has set a target of raising forest and green cover to 50% of Andhra Pradesh's geographical area by 2047, making ecological restoration an important part of its development agenda.

AP-GREEN will coordinate a range of programmes aimed at expanding green cover, restoring degraded forests, promoting reforestation and protecting existing forest resources. The initiative is intended to bring various government departments and district-level institutions onto a common platform for coordinated implementation rather than limiting efforts to conventional plantation drives.

The government plans to establish a Governing Board, Executive Committee and district-level governing bodies under the AP-GREEN framework. The structure is expected to improve coordination between departments, strengthen implementation at the district level and facilitate regular monitoring of progress.

As Chairperson of the Executive Committee, Nagababu will play a key role in coordinating greening and forest restoration programmes across the state. His responsibilities will include facilitating coordination among departments and district-level agencies, accelerating programme implementation and reviewing progress.

The government said the appointment would help strengthen the district-to-state implementation mechanism for large-scale environmental programmes. By connecting district-level systems with the wider AP-GREEN framework, the state aims to improve the reach and effectiveness of its greening initiatives.

The programme will also focus on ecological balance and long-term environmental sustainability, with emphasis on expanding tree and forest cover and undertaking reforestation on a wider scale. The government views the initiative as an important step towards addressing future environmental requirements while protecting Andhra Pradesh's natural resources.