Hyderabad Beats Paris & Mexico

Hyderabad won the overall ‘World Green City Award 2022’ and one other award in another category ‘Living Green for Economic Recovery and Inclusive Growth’ at the International Association of Horticulture Producers (AIPH) World Green City Awards 2022 held in Jeju, South Korea, Friday.

Hyderabad was adjudged the grand winner surpassing cities like Paris, Mexico City, Montreal, Fortaleza and Bogota. This award makes Hyderabad the only Indian city to win awards on an international platform. The city not only won a category award but also the overall ‘World Green City 2022’ award, which means it is the best across all six categories. A total of 18 cities were shortlisted for the awards.

The AIPH had invited entries for ‘World Green Cities Awards 2022’ across six categories and Hyderabad won in the ‘Living Green for Economic Recovery and Inclusive Growth’.

Reacting to the recognition, a press release from the state government said that the plantation drive taken up on the Outer Ring Road was mentioned in the entry to ‘Living Green for Economic Recovery and Inclusive Growth’. The greenery on ORR was called ‘Green Necklace to the state of Telangana’. The category mainly looks at creating systems and solutions that allow all city residents to overcome economic distress and thrive.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao expressed happiness over Hyderabad bagging the AIPH awards. He said that such awards are a strong proof showing that the government is implementing the Haritha Haram and that they increase the reputation of the city both in and outside the country. “It is a matter of pride that Hyderabad is the only city from India to be picked for the international awards,” he added.

Minister K.T. Rama Rao congratulated the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and special chief secretary, MAUD, Arvind Kumar for the achievement.