Union minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar expressed surprise at the fact that cultivation of sandalwood is not allowed in many States.
Due to which India is importing sandalwood from Australia. In his video message sent due to his inability to attend the conclusion of the 13th Silvicultural Confernce at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, Javadekar said that he will organise six regional meetings with forestry experts throughout India to have a more focused discussion on silvicultural issues. He also stressed the need for public participation in tree plantation in wastelands while stressing that conservation and development are to be done in a balanced way.
Chairing the valedictory function, MoEF secretary Ashok lavasa said that active participation of public is essential in Government schemes like Clean Ganga and creation of smart cities. He opined that knowledge alone without passion for nature cannot facilitate environmental conservation. For effective conservation, people must respect resources and respect the rights of others to use resources.
A special meet on forest mining interface in service of nation was also inaugurated on the occasion by Indian Council of Forest Research and Education (ICFRE) director general Dr Ashwani Kumar. He said that developmental programmes are vital in developing countries but the natural system is disturbed by such activities. He emphasised that biological restoration of mined land is the best approach. The Banaras Hindu University, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, director AS Raghubanshi said that mining is needed but ecological restoration of these mined lands is also important. For this purpose, balanced approach is required.