On the occasion of 73rd Van Mahotsav, Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced 5 units of free electricity for each tree a consumer plants and nurtures in his campus. “Natural disasters can be prevented only by maintaining natural balance. The state government will give 5 units of electricity per tree free of cost to the families living in the urban areas of Jharkhand who plant trees in the campus of their homes. As long as there are trees in the campus or the premises of the houses, they will continue to get this benefit, but keep in mind that this tree should not be a marigold or rose plant but a fruit bearing tree or any other tree,” he said.
“Van Mahotsav is not a one day event but every day should be Van Mahotsav. Climate change is emerging as a major challenge all over the world. We need to be aware of climate change because man is responsible for the natural imbalance and man will have to bear the consequences,” said the CM in his address as chief guest at the 73rd Van Mahotsav-2022 programme organized at IIM campus, Pundag, here on Friday.
Soren said that for the purpose of environment promotion, biodiversity parks are being constructed for the people of Jharkhand in Chakulia, Giridih, Sahebganj and Dumka. It is a matter of pride that the state's first and unique fossil park has been dedicated to the public. Many relics and information related to the origin of the earth are found in this fossil park. He said that the government is committed to save trees from being cut in the forests of Jharkhand. It has directed that now the saw mill plant will not be set up in forest based areas. All the saw machines that are already installed have also been instructed to remove them.
The CM said that urbanization is causing maximum damage to the environmental balance. Tampering or playing with natural parameters is proving fatal for the development of urbanization. Concrete forest is now visible in urban areas. Touching the heights of development, our steps are moving towards destruction. The environmental situation has worsened, especially in cities. The Chief Minister said that now it is being seen that water is getting contaminated in the water bodies adjoining the urban areas. The elite people residing in the cities make arrangements for pure drinking water, but the poor needy have to consume contaminated water only. Keeping all these things in mind, we need to pursue development works so that the natural balance is maintained.
On the occasion, the CM and other guests took part in a plantation programme. Coffee table book based on Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department was released by the Chief Minister and other guests. A short film was also screened on the occasion.
On this occasion MLA Naveen Jaiswal, Development Commissioner Arun Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Principal Secretary Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department L Khiangte, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Development NK Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Rajiv Arun Ekka, Secretary to Chief Minister Vinay Kumar Choubey, IIM Director Professor Pradeep Kumar Bala along with other officials and many dignitaries were present.
