Forest minister Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu on Saturday announced in the state assembly that as part of a new sea-shore development scheme sponsored by the Centre, afforestation under Vana samrakshana samithis (VSSs) would be taken up in coastal areas. Replying to a question raised by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) legislator Boda Janardhan and others during question hour, Ayyanna Patrudu said that local fishermen of the coastal villages would be actively involved in the tree plantation programme by the VSSs.