At a time when forests in cities are in fast degradation, the Union Government’s “Nagar Vana Yojana” would be helpful in ecological balancing, meeting peripheral and social needs and protection of biodiversity.
Environmentalists opined this at a Vana Mahotsav webinar organised by the Orissa Environmental Society (OES) on Sunday.
“In 2018, 55% of the world’s population was residing in urban areas. In India, urban population has increased from 11.4% in 1901 to 34% in 2017. Due to increased in residential houses and industries, almost all forests have vanished in urban areas. In all, over 46% of forests have been cut across the world,” they said.
In view of this, the Union Government has launched a Nagar Vana Yojana, under which 200 Nagar Vanas (urban forests) would be created, they said.
OES president Dr Sundara Narayan Patro presided over the webinar. Gracing the occasion as chief speaker, Additional PCCF Dr Abhaykant Pathak highlighted about the Central programme and plantation activities being undertaken by the State Government since 2011-12. As many as 31.25 lakh saplings have been planted in urban areas in the State during the last three years, he said.
OES secretary Dr Jayakrushna Panigrahi stressed on creation of oxy zones in urban areas.
Many environmentalists and intellectuals participated and kept their valuable opinions. The webinar came to an end with a vote of thanks proposed by vice-president Dr Lala AK Singh.