Jana Sena leader and Andhra Pradesh MLC Konidela Nagababu has been appointed Chairperson of the Executive Committee of AP GREEN, with the state government granting him Cabinet-rank status in the new position. The Environment, Forests, Science and Technology Department issued orders confirming the appointment on Monday.

The development gives Nagababu a prominent government responsibility connected to environmental protection, reforestation and expansion of green cover across Andhra Pradesh. His younger brother Pawan Kalyan currently serves as Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and holds the Environment, Forests, Science and Technology portfolio.

According to the government order, Nagababu has been appointed Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Andhra Pradesh Scientific and Ecological Greening and Reforestation Project, commonly referred to as AP GREEN. Reports citing G.O. Rt No. 93 said he will enjoy Cabinet-rank status while serving in the position.

Nagababu is already a Member of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council and a senior Jana Sena leader. The latest appointment provides him with an administrative role linked to one of the state government's major environmental programmes.

AP GREEN has been positioned as a mechanism to coordinate programmes aimed at increasing tree and forest cover, ecological restoration and environmental protection across Andhra Pradesh.

The initiative has set an ambitious goal of increasing forest and tree cover in the state to 50% by 2047. Implementation is expected to involve coordination among government departments, local bodies, educational institutions, industries, voluntary organisations and the public.

As Executive Committee Chairperson, Nagababu is expected to play a role in advancing these programmes and coordinating the execution of the state's greening and reforestation priorities.

The appointment has attracted political attention because AP GREEN falls within the broader Environment and Forests portfolio handled by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. Official Andhra Pradesh government-linked portals currently identify Pawan as Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Environment, Forests, Science and Technology.

Reports also indicate that Pawan Kalyan will head the governing structure associated with the green initiative, while Nagababu will lead its Executive Committee. The arrangement places the Jana Sena leaders in key roles connected to Andhra Pradesh's environmental agenda.

Nagababu's new Cabinet-rank position is likely to draw attention because there had previously been speculation about his possible induction into the Andhra Pradesh Council of Ministers. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had earlier indicated that Nagababu would be considered for a ministerial role.

Instead, the latest order gives him Cabinet status through AP GREEN while assigning him direct responsibility for the state's greening and ecological programmes.

The appointment therefore carries both administrative and political significance for Jana Sena, while putting the focus on whether AP GREEN can deliver Andhra Pradesh's long-term targets for reforestation, environmental restoration and expansion of green cover.