The call for a pollution-free environment and safe food has finally been heard as Cardinal Poola Anthony, Archbishop of Hyderabad launched the ‘Green Drive’ Campaign on 13th July 2022 at the Archbishop house campus aiming to promote Green India. Cardinal expressed the importance of organizing such a campaign with the words “Vriksho Rakshathi Rakshitah” declaring this year as the year of green umbrella. He said that if we protect nature, it will protect us. He also emphasized that Pope Francis In his “Laudato si” reminded everyone that the climate is everyone’s responsibility to protect.

Archdiocese of Hyderabad and Hyderabad Arch Diocese of Social Service Society (HASSS) took this campaign forward by organising “Green Umbrella Drive” on 25th July 2022 at the St. Mary’s Primary School campus, Hyderabad. 

The drive was promoted under the Caritas India U3 program which is in perfect alignment with the Telangana government’s afforestation program “Haritaharam” designed to create 33% greenbelt and make greenery visible in the entire Telangana state.

Fifty saplings (Fruit bearing and Croton oxygen-enhancing varieties) were planted in the school campus. A total 800 participants including school children and the community came forward to observe this campaign. Additional 3000 saplings (Fruit bearing and Croton oxygen enhancing plants etc) were distributed to the Students & Teachers, priests and the community. To promote “Kitchen Gardening for food security”, organic vegetable seeds (Ridge guard, Tomato, Ladies finger, Bottle guard, brinjal, cluster beans, Spinach, carrot, Chilli and cowpea etc) were also distributed. HASSS has taken the responsibility to sensitise the community on environmental protection, create awareness among children and inspire the youth toward climate change. The idea is to promote greenery and make introduce appropriate green technologies in parish and schools to reduce pollution and initiate Green Movement.

As part of 50 years of Hyderabad Archdiocese Social Service Society and 60 years of Caritas India, HASSS would focus to involve the local parish to promote Green Environment by awarding the best green parish with cash prizes starting from 10000/- to 20000/-. Every parish has to send photographs on the theme-Green Environment. All Parishes and Schools to turn green with Green Environment and link the State Government Haritha Haram program in Villages as well. 

Father Madanu Anthony, Director of Hyderabad Archdiocese Social Service Society at this moment emphasized agricultural crops for promoting food security as well as organic food to prevent cancer. He also said that everyone should plant a sapling and take the green revolution forward.