Governor Mangubhai Patel has said that special attention should be paid to the efforts to prevent pollution. Neglecting the environment for economic interests should not be tolerated. Along with this, the areas and institutions prone to pollution should be closely monitored. It is essential to understand that a secure, prosperous environment is more important than economic prosperity for a secure future.
In view of this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started a global ‘Mission Life’ campaign with collective participation for environmental challenges. Governor Patel was presiding over the 12th General Assembly of Environmental Planning and Coordination Organization (EPCO) at Sandipani Auditorium of Raj Bhavan.
Patel said that for environmental consciousness in the society, emphasis is must on coordinated efforts for public awareness, encouragement and control regarding energy, saving water, reducing garbage, e-waste, stopping single use plastic, adopting sustainable food systems and healthy lifestyle. With the participation of children in schools, plantation and environmental protection work will have to be done.
Referring to his tenure as Forest Minister in the Gujarat Cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, he said that initial efforts however small bring big changes. He informed about a teacher couple getting small children plant 1500 saplings in the desert of Kutch, planting of saplings by newly married couples in Puneet Van and Ambaji fair with the inspiration of Prime Minister Modi, innovations of tree plantation and planting of big plants with public participation in Rashi Van, Navagraha Van, Nakshatra Van. He inspired efforts for tree plantation on a campaign level in the state. He emphasized the need to inform and educate children regarding food habits.
Governor Patel said that targets should be fixed for environmental protection activities. Create a project to achieve goals. Efforts should be made by preparing an annual action plan for the goals of the project. By working in the same way, 100 percent plantation can be done in all universities, colleges and schools.