Pollution is a major problem facing civilisation with lakhs of people across the world dying because of it. Stating this, the chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that the State Government is committed to ensuring environmental conservation. He was speaking at a function organised by the forest department on the occasion of World Environment Day here on Wednesday.
Rawat said that the state government is working consistently for conservation of the environment. “Tree plantation was done along the Rispana and Kosi rivers last year. The government is also working for construction of new dams and lakes. Suryadhar, Saung and Maldhung dams are being constructed and in the future these will facilitate gravity-based water supply to Dehradun. Lakes are also being made in Pauri, Gairsain, Almora and other places. Special attention will have to be given to revival of water sources to ensure clean environment and water for the coming generations,” said the CM. He also stressed on importance of rainwater harvesting and public participation in environmental conservation. The forest department will have to seek the cooperation of all departments for large scale tree plantation, he added.
The State’s Forest and Wildlife minister Harak Singh Rawat said that global initiative is necessary for environmental conservation. Stating that India is a biodiversity rich nation, he said that Uttarakhand contributes about 28 per cent to the biodiversity of the nation. The environmental conservation message sent from Uttarakhand impacts the whole world. The minister stressed on the need for all to realise their responsibility towards the conservation of the environment.
Dehradun mayor Sunil Uniyal ‘Gama’ said that it is important for everyone to give some time daily to the environment and cleanliness. Stating that everybody’s cooperation is necessary in keeping Dehradun clean, he said that for this the use of polythene will have to be stopped first.
MLA Khajan Das, Rural Development and Migration Commission vice chairman Sharad Singh Negi, Forest and Environment principal secretary Anand Bardhan and the principal chief conservator of forests Jai Raj were also among those present on the occasion.