CGR’S CNN NATURE NEWS

Vol. 2, No.10 July 2020

Editorial Health, education, justice and a wholesome environment are the most important sustainable development goals. Progress in these goals will positively impact the other goals. As time moves by, any society, or a nation, needs periodical introspection, new thought of reform, restructuring, and paradigm shifts in critical development sectors. And the thought must come from a collective conscience of the wider horizon of society. The relative slow down of the rush of life due to the prevailing Covid pandemic has provided a space for contemplation.

Given the scope and need, CGR has launched two competitions seeking essays and articles with suggestions to improve - rural primary health, and environmental laws. And this month we are launching a competition on school education. The best articles will be honoured and selected articles will be compiled into vision documents and will be shared with the concerned policymakers and made available in the public domain. Digital earth reel is another ongoing short films competition, Inside… which received a huge response nationally. We Webinar on village biodiversity 2 wish all these competitions reach a large number World Environment Day 3 Webinar with singers 4 of people to participate. Webinar on green village 5

Webinar on green village 5 In June 2020, CGR has intensively conducted Webinar on green village 5 webinars and began its annual plantation activity Webinar on green village 7 th on 20 June 2020 by planting saplings in 60 Webinar on youth for environment 8 villages. This year CGR has made an MoU with Green village plantation 9 Mahabubnagar district administration to take up MoU on Palamuru Vanachaitanya Yatra 16 Palamuru Vanachaitanya Yatra - massive tree Digital Earth Reel 17 plantation all over the district through Cmopetetion on Rural Primary Health 18 involvement of children from government schools. Competetion on Environmental Laws 20 We placed brief profiles of unassuming rural Seed balls soldier 21 youth for their inspiring work. Welcome to the A unique green campaigner 22 folios ahead in this edition. ______1 CGR’s Nature News Vol. 2, No. 10 July 2020 (No.22)

Webinar on village biodiversity Participants of the programme are; Mr Intending to sensitize rural youth and Mahesh-Pillalamarri village, villagers on the present challenges to the district, Mr Naresh, Nadipadu village, biodiversity, CGR has organized a district, Mr Ravi, Renivatla webinar on “Village Biodiversity’ on 2nd village, , Dr. Jagan, June 2020. This programme has been the VMF, Mr. Shekar Chouhan, , second in the World Environment Day Mr Rakesh, Mr. Sitaram, Mr Parvatalu series on biodiversity. About 20 youth from Ankironipally in Achampet mandal, and others from different villages have Nagar Kurnool district, Mr Rajinikanth, participated in the meeting. Mr C. Mucherla village Knadukur Mandal, Umamaheswar Reddy, Environmental , Mr. Narsig Rao, Scientist, CGR made a keynote , Mahabubnagar, Mr Manoj, MG presentation emphasizing the University, , Mr Jagan, importance of biodiversity for the Maisigandi, Kadthal mandal, Ranga survival and sustainable development of Reddy district, Mr Anil, Andugula village, villages. He presented the diverse array Mandal Ranga Reddy district, Mr of biodiversity be it in the genetic level, Chandrashekar, Dhanwada, Narayanpet species-level or ecosystem level. Today district. Mr Koppu Krishna, CGR Co- as many as 31000 species are under ordinated the programme. threat of disappearing permanently from the living planet earth.He made the mention of the lost glory of rural wilderness and the scope of its renewal and rejuvenation, recognition and protection of flora, fauna, and natural landscapes. He asked the participants to strive for a 33 % green cover with local plant species of mixed verities. Dr. Sai Bhaskar Reddy, Director, Earth Centre spoke about the need of establishing village earth centers. He felt that they will become the real natural and social heritage of villages. Smt K. Leela Laxma Reddy, President, CGR felt the need for a proper plan for planting and overall development of the village. She felt the need of sanitation, health, organic farming, and integral education to achieve the rural vision. ______2 CGR’s Nature News Vol. 2, No. 10 July 2020 (No.22)

World Environment Day forests, wetlands, grasslands. She felt a On the occasion of World Environment collective action by environmental Day on 5th June 2020, CGR organized a groups is the need of the hour. webinar on "Time for Nature-Celebrate and Protect; Biodiversity” which is the Smt Padma Koppula, Director, Aranya theme of the day for the year 2020. We Agricultural Alternatives felt the need for are all aware of the importance of an integrated and realistic plan for the biodiversity and its rapid decline, the conservation of biodiversity. She felt the webinar was intended to discuss the need to emphasize on the biodiversity pressing issues related to its through farmers. She felt it that conservation, mechanisms to create afforestation by the government should massive awareness, ways, and means to focus on restoring and enhancing conserve it, and bring forth insights for biodiversity in the degraded forests and robust policy and governance. The elsewhere. Dr Donthi Narsimha Reddy, webinar will discuss the local, regional, Policy expert urged upon a holistic view and national contexts around the theme. of the situation. He presented on climate change and biodiversity and mentioned the many-sidedness of the drivers of ecological collapse in the agricultural sector, forestry, and common-pool resources.

Dr D. Srinivas Reddy, Asst. Professor, School of Agribusiness Management, Professor Jayashankar State Agricultural University felt the farming sector can be a vital and most essential area to address the manifold challenges of biodiversity. Dr M. Maheshwar, Scientist, NIN shared the glimpses of his research findings that how much bearing Sri R. Dileep Reddy gave welcome and potential the wild food resources address while the opening message was have on the health food security of given by Dr. Ramalaxmi IFS (Retd.). She people in the forests and villages. He emphasized the ecosystem values and cautioned that the collapse of wild the need to protect it. Ms Farida Tampal, frontiers also imply a catastrophic effect State Director World Wildlife Fund(WWF) on the dietary supplies of present and mentioned the unprecedented pressures future generations. faced by all sorts of ecosystems, be it ______3 CGR’s Nature News Vol. 2, No. 10 July 2020 (No.22)

Dr Vikram Aditya, a post-doctoral fellow Webinar with singers at Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology CGR organized a webinar on the topic of and Environment (ATREE) felt that the ‘Role of Singers in Environmental youth should be encouraged towards Protection’ on 10th June 2020. The nature conservation education, research meeting was participated by noted and practice. Mr. Kumar Kakumanu, singers, teachers and CGR personnel. Mr Founder, Tiger First mentioned that there Shnkar Headmaster, Khanapur, should be facilities and support and Talakondapalli mandal, Mr Shekar guidance to the researchers and Chouhan, Rangapur Tanda, Kalwakurthy, environmentalists to pursue their studies both famous singers started the and research in the wild frontiers. Mr K. programme with their songs. As we the Laxma Reddy wished the collective impact song as an effective cultural conscience can change the situation for instrument in the social and cultural good. Smt K. Leela Laxma Reddy, progression of humanity, it is an President, CGR said that the youth and evergreen art form for social and intellectuals should work together and environmental revolutions and cultivate earth leadership for a better campaigns. world. Mr Kotesh Devulapalli, Independent Researcher, Sociologist, Prof. Vamshikrishna Reddy from Centre for Environment, JNTUH, Dr N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy, Director Earth Centre, Mr M Lakshmana Rao, Ms Padmanjali, Mr Putta Kotesh, Mr Matsyavardhan. Mr Krishna Koppu, Mr Prem, Mr P. Yashwant, Mr R. Venkatesh, and others have participated in the webinar. A pledge was administered by Sri Dileep Reddy with chorus from all the participants. The programme was co-ordinated and moderated by Mr C. Umamaheswar Reddy, CGR. Dr Indrasena Reddy, Scientist suggested the webinar can be organized by the limited experts to speak in detail and the others can interact with them.

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The meeting felt that the cadres of village. Mr Anil an active youth from the singers and artists have to be prepared village actively involved in organizing the from children. There is ever more need webinar. Participants discussed the ways to use a song for the emergence of earth and means to achieve green Andugula leadership. Dr N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy village, and involving the youth for moderated the program, Mr C. environmental protection and overall Umamaheswar Reddy, Scientist, CGR development of the village. The spoken on rural biodiversity. Mr Koppu programme was and co-ordinated by Mr Krishna, CGR, has co-ordinated the Koppu Krishna, CGR. programme.

Webinar on green villages CGR organized a webinar with sarpanches at Nitin Bhavan, Torrur on 13th June 2020. The meeting was attended by the sarpanches from the villages i.e., Ammapuram, Mutharam, Rathiram Thanda, Penugonda, Amangal, Jalalpuram, and Katrapalli. CGR President, Smt K. Leela Laxma Reddy, Founder and Sri K. Laxma Reddy spoken to the sarpanches and other participants in the meeting. Dr. Sai Bhaskar Reddy, Director, Earth Centre, moderated the programme. CGR staff and staff at Nitin Bhavan were present in the meeting. The meeting focused mainly on proper planning for the plantation of saplings to be taken up on 20 June 2020. Mr R. Venkatesh, from CGR has co-ordinated the meeting. Webinar on green villages CGR organized a webinar on Green Webinar on green villages Village on 16th June 2020 for the A webinar was organized by CGR on sarpanches and youth from villages in 15th June 2020 with 20 youth members Achampet mandal of Nagar Kurnool of Andugula village in Madgul mandal in district. All these villages are nestled in Ranga Reddy district aimed to create a the foothills of Nallamalais. The green and sustainable vision for the programme was participated by Mr T.

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Jithender Reddy, Sarpanch inspiring spaces towards ecological and Brahmanapalli, Mr Raju, Sarpanch social harmony and history. Chandapur, Mr Shankar, Sarpanch Ankironipalli, Mr Parvatalu, Mr. Sitaram,, Mr Rakesh youth from Ankironipalli, Mr Ramu, Sarpanch Bolgatpalli, Mr Banot Kishan, Sarpanch, Dubbatanda, Mr Peekla, Sarpanch, Buddatanda, Mr Suresh Kumar, Village Secretary, Chandapur, Mr N. Anjaneyulu, Village Secretary, Ankironipalli, Ms K. Shwetha, Panchayat Secretary, Siddapur.

The meeting was opened by the keynote presentation on village biodiversity by Mr C Umamaheswar Reddy, Environmental Scientist, CGR. He made the mention of protection existing village biodiversity, wilderness, wildlife, wild food resources, natural landscapes, natural resources, local plant species, old and ancient trees, etc. He felt the need to Smt K. Leela Laxma Reddy President in protect traditional crop diversity and her concluding remarks said that securing seed sovereignty and self- detailed planning and visioning is a reliance. He spoke on the need to create prerequisite for village development. She village biodiversity registers. He aspired felt that the villages in this region have that since the villages are situated at the preserved the wonderful nature and foothills of Nallamala, they can relieve promote village tourism, agricultural the stress on the forest if they enhance processing for employment. She said the biodiversity in their villages. He said that the youth must continue the that all the villages must strive to reverence to nature. CGR can help in maintain a minimum of 33 % of green facilitating the planning and cover for ecological sustainability. implementation of holistic village development. She said that CGR is eager Dr Sai Bhaskar Reddy, Director Earth to organize awareness camps on Centre detailed the need of creating Sustainable Development Goals and village Earth Centres as the centres of green village vision. The programme the natural and social heritage of the hosted and co-ordinated by Mr Koppu villages. The centres can become Krishna, CGR. ______6 CGR’s Nature News Vol. 2, No. 10 July 2020 (No.22)

Webinar on green villages villagers must have a collective vision CGR organized a webinar to discuss the and have the prideful responsibility of green village concept on 18th June 2020. ‘my village, green and sustainably The programme was attended by Mr G. developed village’. She also felt the need Ravinder Reddy, Sarpanch, Kalakonda to focus on important goals such as village, Madgul mandal, Ranga Reddy education, employment, pollution-free district, Mr Shankar, Sarpanch, Renivatla village, organic farming, rural village, Maddur mandal, Narayanpet technologies, and so on. The programme district, Mr Darla Kumar, Sarpanch, was hosted, moderated and co- Bairapur village, Veldanda mandal, ordinated by Mr Koppu Krishna, CGR. Nagar Kurnool district, Mr Swamy, Sarpanch, Karwanga village, Nagar Kurnool district, Mr Ravikukmar, social worker, Renivatla village, Mr Chittaranjan Das, Singer, Bairapur, Mr Shekar Chouhan, Singer, Rangapur Tanda, Mr Mohan, Founder, Swarna Bharati Kala Nilayam, Ellikal village, Kalwakurthy mandal, Mr Jagan social worker, Maisigandi, Mr Rajinikanth, Mucherla, Dr Jagan, VMF and CGR staff have participated in the meeting.

Dr N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy, Director Earth Centre addressed the participants on challenges in farming and the status of farmers, environmental issues, need of village earth centers. Mr C. Umamaheswar Reddy, environmental scientist, CGR spoken on the need for biodiversity conservation, protection of native species, enhancing green cover to a minimum of 33 %.

Smt K. Leela Laxma Reddy emphasized the need to revere Mother Nature, asked he villagers to take oath for the protection of the environment, and to live in harmony with nature. She said that ______7 CGR’s Nature News Vol. 2, No. 10 July 2020 (No.22)

Webinar - Youth for Environment CGR organized a Zoom meeting for 20 youth at Nitin Bhavan, Thorrur on 24th June 2020 on the topic of Youth for “Youth is the best Environment and Sustainable Development. The meeting was time. The way in addressed by Smt K. Leela Laxma Reddy, President, CGR, Dr N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy, which you utilize Director, Earth Centre, Dr. Donthi Narasimha Reddy, Policy Expert. The this period will speakers spoke to the young participants on the contemporary and future decide the nature challenges the world is subjected to. The speakers have spoken on the Corona of coming years pandemic implications and learning, the impact and pollution, implication of that lie ahead of current agricultural practices. They emphasized on organic farming, you”- Swamy conservation of natural resources, and earth leadership. CGR and Nitin Bhavan Vivekananda staff was part of the meeting. Mr R. Venkatesh, programme co-ordinator from CGR has co-ordinated the meeting.

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Green village plantation

Intending to create green villages, CGR Plantation for green villages has taken up a special plantation drive in 20th June 2020 Sl. Village Mandal District 60 villages on 20th June 2020. The No programme also marks the annual 1 Urkonda Urkonda Nagar Kurnool planting activity of CGR for 2020. It also 2 Karvanga Telkapalli Nagar Kurnool synchronizes with the annual opening of 3 Bairapur Veldada Nagar Kurnool 4 Silarpalli Kalwakurthi Nagar Kurnool Harithaharam massive tree plantation by 5 Akshara Vanam Kalwakurthy Nagar Kurnool the Telangana Government. CGR 6 Rangapur Kalwakurthy Nagar Kurnool Tanda provide 100 saplings for each village 7 Ellikal Kalwakurthy Nagar Kurnool which were planted by the local youth 8 Ankironipally Achampet Nagar Kurnool and villagers with the facilitation of CGR. 9 Bolligattupalli Achampet Nagar Kurnool 10 Brhamanpalli Achampet Nagar Kurnool 11 Buddatanda Achampet Nagar Kurnool CGR provided saplings of 8 -10 ft tall of 12 Chandapur Achampet Nagar Kurnool Mango, Pogada, Badam, Jammi, Neredu, 13 Dubbatanda Achampet Nagar Kurnool Vepa, Juvvi, Ravi, Marri, Akashamalle, 14 Kishta tanda Achampet Nagar Kurnool 15 Dokku Tanda Achampet Nagar Kurnool Naramamidi, Cherry. The saplings were 16 Kalakonda Madgul Ranga Reddy procured from Kadiyam nurseries near 17 Andugula Madgul Ranga Reddy Rajamundry, in Andhra Pradesh and 18 Chukkapur Talakondapalli Ranga Reddy 19 Thummalakunt Talakondapalli Ranga Reddy distributed in the listed villages ahead of a Tanda the programme. 20 Anmaspalli Kadthal Ranga Reddy 21 Ravulapally Marpally 22 Rayalagutta Doulathabad Vikarabad Mr Koppu Krishna co-ordinated the thanda planning, distribution, and plantation in 23 Bandiwada Doulathabad Vikarabad 24 Narsapur Doulathabad Vikarabad 20 villages of Nagar Kurnool and Ranga 25 Chellapr Doulathabad Vikarabad Reddy district. Mr. Matsyavardan has co- 26 Allapur Doulathabad Vikarabad ordinated the programme in Vikarabad, 27 Matoor Doulatha Bad Vikarabad Narayanpet, and Nalgonda districts. Mr 28 Nandipadu Maddur Narayanapet 29 Renivatla Maddur Narayanapet R. Venkatesh has co-ordinated the 30 Singarajupally Gundlapally Nalgonda program in , Rural, Mahabubabad, and Suryapet districts.

CGR intends in the long run, for the sustainable development of the villages through facilitation and planning support.

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S.No Village Mandal District 31 Siddisamudram Tirumalagiri Suryapet 32 Jalalpuram Tirumalagiri Suryapet 33 Rajya Naik Thanda Tirumalagiri Suryapet 34 Katrapally Warangal Rrl 35 Konduru Rayaparthy Warangal Rrl 36 Mailaram Rayaparthy Warangal Rrl 37 Chennur Palakurthy Jangaon 38 Vavilala Palakurthy Jangaon 39 Naraboinagudem Palakurthy Jangaon 40 Uppugal Jafergadh Jangaon 41 Raghunathpally Jafergadh Jangaon 42 Muttaram Palakurthy Jangaon 43 Kantayapalem Thorrur Mahabubabad Narsimhapuram Narsimhula 44 Mahabubabad Banjara Pet 45 Munigalavedu Nellikuduru Mahabubabad 46 Ammapuram Thorrur Mahabubabad 47 Thorrur Thorrur Mahabubabad Mahabubaba 48 Amanagal Mahabubabad d 49 Rathiram Thanda Nellikuduru Mahabubabad 50 Pedda Mupparam Thorrur Mahabubabad 51 Rajulakothapally Nellikuduru Mahabubabad

”Let the villages of the future live in our imagination, so that we might one day come to live in them!” Mahatma Gandhi

PLANTATION IN URKONDA VILLAGE AND MANDAL, NAGAR KURNOOL DISTRICT

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PLANTATION IN THUMMALAKUNTA TANDA,

TALAKONDAPALLI MANDAL RANGA REDDY DISTRICT , SAPLINGS PLANTED IN KARVANGA VILLAGE, TELKAPALLI

VILLAGE, NAGAR KURNOOL DISTRICT

CHUKKAPOOR VILLAGE, MANDAL SAPLINGS PLANTED IN RANGAPUR TANDA, KALWAKURTHY RANGA REDDY DISTRICT MANDAL, NAGAR KURNOOL DISTRICT

PLANTATION IN BAIRAPUR VILLAGE VELDANDA MANDAL, RANGA REDDY DISTRICT PLANTATION IN KALAKONDA VILLAGE, MADGUL MANDAL, RANGA REDDY DISTRICT

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PLANTATION IN CHANDAPUR VILLAGE, ACHAMPET MANDAL, NAGAR KURNOOL DISTRICT

PLANTATION IN DUBBATANDA VILLAGE, ACHAMPET MANDAL, NAGAR KURNOOL DISTRICT

SAPLINGS PLANTED IN BUDDA TANDA VILLAGE ACHAMPET MANDAL, NAGAR KURNOOL DISTRICT

PLANTATION IN CHUKKAPUR VILLAGE, TALAKONDAPALLI MANDAL, RANGA REDDY DISTRICT

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PLANTATION IN UPPUGAL VILLAGE, ZAFFERGADH MANDAL,

SAPLINGS PLANTED IN CHEDURUBAI TANDA VILLAGE ACHAMPET MANDAL, NAGAR KURNOOL DISTRICT

PLANTATION IN MYLARAM VILLAGE, RAYAPARTHY MANDAL,

PLANTATION IN SAPLINGS PLANTED IN ANDUGULA VILLAGE, MADGUL MANDAL, RANGA REDDY DISTRICT

PLANTATION IN VAVILALA VILLAGE, PALAKURTHY MANDAL, JANGAON DISTRICT PLANTATION IN SINGARAJUPALLI, GUNDLAPALLI MANDAL

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PLANTATION IN MUTTARAM VILLAGE, PALAKURTHY MANDAL, JANGAON DISTRICT

PLANTATION IN AMANAGAL VILLAGE MAHABUBABAD MANDAL AND DISTRICT

PLANTATION IN SIDDISAMUDRAM VILLAGE, TIRUMALAGIRI MANDAL,

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PLANTATION IN THE VILLAGES OF DOULTABAD MANDAL,

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MoU on Palamuru Vanachaitanya Yatra CGR has entered into an MoU with District Administration of Mahabubnagar for the massive tree plantation programme across the district for the year 2020. Impressed by the With the successful programme last year work by

CGR at Narayanpet district in the name EXCHANGE OF MOU OF PALAMURU VANACHAITANYA Krishna Bhima Vana Chaitanya Yatra, the YATRA-2020 BETWEEN CGR AND DISTRICT District collector expressed his wish to ADMINISTRATION IN THE PRESENCE OF SHRI SRINIVAS GOUD, HON’BLE MINISTER, TELANGANA implement the same project on the name of Palamuru Vana Chaitanya Yatra in Mahabubnagar. CGR shall take up the motivation of school children and headmasters as part of the programme. This task covers 138 Zilla Parishad High Schools in 14 mandals of the district.

On 25th June 2020 an MoU was signed and exchanged with Mr Yadaiah, CEO, Zilla Parishad, and Mr. Govinda Raju, DEO in the presence of Shri Srinivas Goud, State Minister of Prohibition &

Excise, Sports & Youth Services, Tourism & Culture and Archaeology, Telangana, Sri S. S. Venkata Rao, District Collector, and Smt Swarna Sudhakar Zilla Parishad Chairperson, Mahabubnagar, other officials and participants in the programme. The programme poster was also released on the occasion.

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Digital Earth Reel It is an ongoing short film competition which was launched on 22 April 2020, Earth Day. The programme is being organized in collaboration with Earth Day Network- Chapter. The competition invites entries of short films from school children and youth. As part of it registrations have been received and so till the end of June 627 registrations have been received from nearly all over India, largely from the north. Registrations are received from Hindi, English, Marathi, Malayalam and Kannada and Tamil. Three online webinars were conducted for the registered children the methods of recording and editing videos on a Smartphone. Two sessions were conducted by Dr N. Sai Bhaksar Reddy, Director, Earth Centre, and the last session was taken by Dr Subha Das from the BichtraBidya organization from Kolkata.

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Competition on Rural Primary programme is co-ordinated by Mr Health Yashwanth, CGR. In this regard, we Health is the primary factor of a nation’s welcome articles form and request all to progress, welfare and wellbeing. Every disseminate widely about the nation must have a thorough vision and competition. Please visit our website for robust, people-friendly, and effective further details. health system. For a country like India with the majority of people living in rural areas, it should be an utmost priority. We know the rural health facilities are in the formative stage and rudimentary. There is a long way to go to secure and assure the right for health for the rural Indians. Primary health services need focus up- gradation, and much and more improvisation. With sincere efforts, the primary care centres can become the backbone of the nation's health system. LAUNCHING OF POSTER ON RURAL PRIMARY HEALTH COMPETITION AT FPA OFFICE Keeping its importance, the current status of health policy and existing systems, and the needed progress and reforms in view, CGR in association with “For he who has health the Family Planning Association of India, has launched a competition has hope; and he who on Rural Primary Health. The programme has hope has was launched on 16th June 2020 by exchanging MoU and releasing of everything”-Owen posters. The programme was attended Arthur by Sri K. Laxma Reddy, Founder, CGR, Dr

N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy, Director Earth Centre, Mr. C. Umamaheswar Reddy, Scientist, Mr Yashwanth, Programme Manager, and Mr Prem from CGR and FPA representatives include Dr Balamba and the office-bearers.

The last date for the submission of the entries is till 10th August 2020. The

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CGR’s Nature News Vol. 2, No. 10 July 2020 (No.22)

Competition on “Environmental protection. It is time to be vigilant, Protection in Post-Covid-19 Era safeguard, and strengthen the measures CGR launched a competition inviting for a healthy environment. In this regard, articles on “Environmental Protection in CGR and Law Centre-DU are inviting Post-Covid-19 Era: Strengthening the insights for a strong and sincere Environmental Laws and Avoiding environmental legal framework. The Dilution” The competition was launched competition is being disseminated to all on 5th June 2020, the World the law fraternity in the country. The last Environment Day. It is being organized in date for the submission of entries is 31st association with Law Centre-1, Faculty of July 2020. We welcome articles and Law, University of Delhi. We are all aware request to share about it for a large of the surmounting pressure on the number of entries. environmental systems. The situations like the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequent lockdown may have unforeseen changes in the country’s legal framework on environmental

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Seed balls soldier vrikshabandhan. It is a brief introduction Mr Rajinikanth is from Mucherla village, of Mr Rajinikanth on his social and Kadukur mandal, Ranga Reddy district. environmental commitment. Let us He is running a EEE centre for poor and applaud this earth champion. Wish his disadvantaged children in his village for journey go a long way. the last eight years. Supported by CGR, the centre focuses on Environment, Ethics, and Education. The centre conducts study hours, summer camps, coaching, special classes, computer skills, yoga classes, art, cultural and spiritual sessions, mostly during the evening hours and on holidays. It is a joyful, fruitful learning and empowering MR RAJINIKATH TRAINING THE CHILDREN ON SEED BALLS experience for the children. Mr MAKING Rajinikanth is doing a commendable job with utmost dedication and commitment to running the centre.

One of the most impressive works that have been led by Mr Rajinikanth is the making and scattering of seed balls. Began in 2015, children under his guidance and inspiration prepared 12 lakh seed balls. Some of the seed balls were scattered by them in the wilderness near their village. The rest of the seed CHILDREN GUIDED BY MR RAJINIKATH PREPARING SEED BALLS balls were sent to different parts of Telangana and AP by CGR to scatter in the respective areas.

Mr Rajinikanth is playing an active role in greening his village by planting saplings for the last eight years through CGR and Haritaharam programmes. He observes the birthday to saplings and ______21 CGR’s Nature News Vol. 2, No. 10 July 2020 (No.22)

A unique green campaigner It’s a unique campaign, walking barefoot, holding the national flag, and leading the little green soldiers with lyrical bhajans with musical instruments such as taala, dolu in their hands. It is a spirited procession. Some hold placards, intermittently yelling slogans. Mr Gnaneshwar hails from Muktapur village on the banks of the in Nagalgidda mandal of . He completed a master degree in Zoology and pursuing BEd. Since his childhood, he loved his serene village and the River Manjira. He has seen the changes wrought to his loved River. It pained him to see the decline of nature He made several padayatras and bicycle in the area. That made him an ardent yatras, deekshas, on various environmental campaigner. He started environmental causes, covering his campaigns by gathering the school thousands of kilometers and hundreds of children into a green brigade. Then he villages across Telangana and . started planting saplings and making Let his footsteps pave a long green path, and scattering of seed balls. let his bhajans for mother nature reward ‘ his aspirations, let his green brigade multiplied into thousands of earth leaders. Let us wish him all the best.

MR GNANESHWAR MEETING WITH SMT K. LEELA LAXMA REDDY, PRESIDENT, AT CGR OFFICE DURING HIS PADAYATRA IN 2018

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“From the seed grows a root, then a sprout; from the sprout, the seedling leaves; from the leaves, the stem; around the stem, the branches; at the top, the flower. . . We cannot say that the seed causes the growth, nor that the soil does. We can say that the potentialities for growth lie within the seed, in mysterious life forces, which, when properly fostered, take on certain forms.” -Mary Caroline Richards

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“The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn, the bird waits in the egg, and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities.” - James Allen

Advisors: Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy, Shri. G. Narayan Rao, Smt. K. Leela Laxma Reddy, & Shri. R. Dileep Reddy and Dr. K. Thulsi Rao Editor: Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy, Sub-Editor: C. Umamaheswar Reddy

Published by: Council for Green Revolution (CGR), 1448, Road No. 12, Banjara Green Colony, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, India- 5000 034. Working Campus: The Earth Centre #8-189/4. Kongara Raviryal, Exit No. 13, ORR, Maheshwaram mandal, Rangareddy district.--501510, Telangana, India Mobile: 96769 57000, e-mail: [email protected], www.cgrindia.org

CGR’s Nature News Vol. 2, No. 10 July 2020 (No.22)