In Jharkhand, water, forest and land have always been our means of living. But, this system which has been going on for centuries is getting left behind in the race of indiscriminate development and urbanization. Today, the concrete jungle has replaced the forest covered with lush green trees. This is having a direct impact on our environment. The natural balance is deteriorating. If we still do not wake up, then we will have to be ready to face its serious consequences. Today, it is definitely important that we become a part of the campaign to plant as many trees as possible for environmental conservation and take a pledge to save trees. With the cooperation and participation of all, we can protect the natural system and keep human life safe, said Chief Minister Hemant Soren said while addressing the 75th Van Mahotsav-2024 organized by the Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change at the Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Gadhkhatanga, Ranchi on Wednesday.
On this occasion, the CM gave the message of environmental conservation by planting trees. He said that the way environmental protection is being challenged today, it is becoming a threat to the existence of humans, animals and the entire natural system. In such a situation, we have to decide whether we should move forward on the path of development by joining nature or by tampering with nature. If we want to move with nature, then we will have to change our lifestyle. We will have to befriend trees and take the responsibility of protecting them.
He told the people that before building a house, they must plant a tree there. If every person resolves to plant and save trees, then we will definitely be able to protect the environment. The Chief Minister said that today due to natural imbalance and interference with the environment, we are facing many natural disasters like floods and droughts. Agriculture is being affected due to changes in the weather cycle. In such a situation, there is a need for all of us to move forward in the direction of how to cause minimum damage to the natural system. For this, it is necessary to plant as many trees as possible, so that even a little bit of the damage that has been done to the natural system can be compensated.
The CM said that there was a time when there was no need to celebrate Van Mahotsav in a state like Jharkhand. The entire state was covered with lush green trees. Forests were visible all around. But, as the pace of development increased, the forests started shrinking and this had a direct impact on the environment. This is the reason why a tradition of celebrating Van Mahotsav started today, which is still going on. It is also the demand of the time that all of us become a part of Van Mahotsav and play our part in the campaign of planting as many trees as possible.
The CM emphasized that the campaign of planting trees should not be limited to the rainy season only. In every season, be it winter, summer or rainy, the campaign of planting trees should be carried out according to that season. The continuous campaign of planting trees should never stop.
On this occasion, the CM honoured the members of the forest committee who made a better contribution in the field of promotion and development of forests by giving them prize money. On this occasion, he also released the coffee table book of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department. He provided battery operated autos to four beneficiaries for the people visiting the Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology to visit the campus.
Agriculture Minister Deepika Pandey Singh, MLA Rajesh Kachhap, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Avinash Kumar, Principal Secretary of Forest Environment and Climate Change Department Vandana Dadel, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sanjay Srivastava and many senior officers of Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department were present in the Van Mahotsav.