What was once a small sapling, planted by Telangana CM K Chandrasekar Rao in July 2015 has now blossomed into a tree. The sampangi sapling (golden flower) was planted by KCR along with his wife in the first phase of the Haritha Haram initiative.at Chilukuri Balaji temple in the outskirts of Hyderabad.

A statement from Telangana CMO proudly stated that flowers and leaves from the tree were being used in the daily puja and archana for the Lord in the sanctum sanctorum.

Ever since the CM planted the sapling, the temple priests have ensured that it was watered regularly and were in charge of taking care of the plant. 

Temple’s chief priest Dr. Rangarajan said it was a great feeling to use flowers of Sampangi tree which was planted by CM.

The Sampangi tree known for its fragrance has been tagged as the temple’s ‘Tree Guard’.

KCR has made repeated appeals to people to plant saplings and protect them in the places of worships like churches, temples and mosques. Haritha haram project that includes planting saplings in forest lands and residential places to improve green cover of the state and restore ecological balance.

It can be recalled earlier in September, the Karimanagar Police filed a case against 8 people for damaging a sapling which was planted by CM at Mid Maner during this year's third phase of Haritha Haram.