Chhattisgarh was on Saturday placed in the second position in a survey on best performing states on environmental protection. It took the top spot in the Most Improved State Category among big states.
The national survey on environment protection by a national media group is based on various parameters including forest cover.
The survey pointed out that the state has set an excellent example by carrying out various corrective measures and works.
It said the production of coal, iron ore and dolomite in the state has led to a proliferation of mineral-based industries which increased pollution.
The government took the challenges in a positive manner. In the last four years, 18 new Ambient Air Quality Centres have been set up. The SO2 concentration has dropped from 26.02 in 2016 to 16.34 in 2020. Similarly, concentration of NO2 has decreased from 24.11 to 19.88. The government has set up 27 stations to monitor the water quality of seven major rivers. Chhattisgarh has made it mandatory to plant trees in 30 percent of the industrial area for environment promotion. Between 2015 and 2019, forest cover increased from 41.12 percent to 41.14 percent and tree cover increased from 2.6 percent to 3.1 percent.