Thu May 22 04:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Summary:

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Trust Board, during a meeting on May 20, 2025, approved several initiatives focused on environmental sustainability, improved healthcare, enhanced security, and temple development. Key resolutions include an afforestation program to increase Tirumala’s green cover, increased funding for SVIMS, a volunteer medical service program, anti-drone technology deployment, development of master plans for various temples, improved food safety at canteens, and legal action against a Tamil film for using a religious chant inappropriately.

## News Article:

**Tirumala Temple Boosts Green Initiatives, Healthcare, and Security**

**TIRUMALA, May 21, 2025** – The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Trust Board announced a raft of new initiatives designed to bolster environmental sustainability, enhance healthcare services for pilgrims and locals, and reinforce security measures at the sacred site. The announcements came following a board meeting held Tuesday, May 20th, attended by TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu and Executive Officer J. Syamala Rao.

Chief among the initiatives is an ambitious afforestation program, spearheaded by the Forest Department, aimed at increasing Tirumala’s green cover from the current 68.14% to 80% over the next three years. The TTD has committed over ₹4 crore (approximately $480,000 USD) to the project.

“Under the direction of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, we are committed to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of Tirumala,” said Mr. Syamala Rao during a press briefing.

The board also approved an additional ₹71 crore ($8.5 million USD) per annum for the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS), bringing its total annual support to ₹131 crore ($15.7 million USD). This funding will support recruitment of medical personnel and completion of ongoing construction projects, including the Oncology Wing and Sri Padmavati Children’s Hospital. A new volunteer program, ‘Srivari Vaidya Seva’, will enlist medical professionals to offer services to those in need.

In response to growing security concerns, the TTD will also deploy anti-drone technology to protect the temple town from aerial threats.

Furthermore, the board approved plans for developing master plans for several temples in the region, including Tiruchanoor, Amaravati, Narayanavanam, Kapilatheertham, Nagalapuram, and Vontimitta. Improvements to food safety are also planned for Big Canteens and Janatha Canteens.

Finally, the board resolved to pursue legal action against the makers of the Tamil film “DD Next Level” for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by remixing the sacred “Govinda Namavali” chant. The TTD aims to protect the sanctity and reverence associated with the widely known chant of Lord Venkateswara.

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