Naidu cycles 5.5 km in Vizag heat on World Environment Day
VISAKHAPATNAM: AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday cycled 5.5 kilometres through Visakhapatnam in the afternoon heat to mark World Environment Day, promoting environmental conservation, sustainable mobility, and healthy living.
Naidu participated in the Environment Day programme at Andhra University Engineering College Grounds, where he planted a sapling and unveiled a plan to increase the State's green cover to 50%.
Addressing students, faculty, and the media, the Chief Minister said environmental protection was a shared responsibility. 'Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental imbalance are warning signs. Every individual must contribute towards protecting nature,' he said.
Naidu directed Andhra University to transform its 450-acre campus into a model green and net-zero campus. Noting that the campus now has around 25% green cover, he asked the university to double it to 50%.
He suggested several measures for the campus: expanding tree plantation in vacant spaces, installing solar panels on buildings for self-consumption, developing a biodiversity park, converting organic waste into compost, setting up solid waste management and waste-to-energy systems, producing biogas from biodegradable waste, recycling and reusing waste water, promoting PNG and electric cooking systems, and introducing electric bicycles for mobility.
He proposed forming a dedicated team of professors to drive the net-zero mission and said Andhra University should emerge as a global knowledge hub for environmental studies and sustainability.
The Chief Minister said the government would take focused measures to reduce pollution in Visakhapatnam, particularly around the port and industrial zones.
On afforestation, he said Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan is spearheading an initiative to distribute and plant 2.5 crore seed balls across the State.
He also stressed the need for walking and cycling infrastructure and said dedicated cycle tracks would be developed in Visakhapatnam to encourage eco-friendly transport and healthier lifestyles.
Naidu concluded the event with a cycling rally to create public awareness. He cycled from AU Engineering College Grounds through Three-Town Police Station Junction, Polamamba Temple, VUDA Park, YMCA, and Beach Road, ending at Novotel. Despite the heat, he completed the 5.5-km ride in 21 minutes, greeting citizens along the route.
Union Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, public representatives, officials, and residents participated in the rally.
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