looking committed to restore the glory of green Jharkhand and not only by infusing institutional efforts in the direction, the Government coined a new scheme on the World Environment Day. The scheme would pay due recognition to the plantations done on privately owned lands which would be watered by grants coming from the Forest and Environment Department.
Making announcement on the occasion, Chief Minister Raghubar Das said that environmental protection had to be made people's movement that would resurrect the depleting green cover.
"Our traditions have been environment friendly and nature has been regarded as god in our culture. But it is not going be enough in today's world and we need to start a movement with concerted efforts coming equally from Government and public. I would make an announcement that would incorporate people in productive manner. In the lines of the PM's Jan Dhan Yojna, the State Government would start CM Jan Van Vikas Yojna under which plantation can be done on private land with 50 per cent of cost granted by the Government," said the CM in a seminar organsied by State Pollution Control Board and Forest and Environment Department on Friday.
Nitty gritty of the scheme would come in 15 days but indications are that it would be a kind of social forestry with major contribution coming from common growers. The Government would, besides funding the scheme, ease ways to make the plantation commercially viable by relaxing forest conservation norms and legal provisions restricting sale of logs in open market after harvesting. The Department has been told to frame an Ordinance in this direction.
Working more in this direction, the Government is also drafting an 'Eco-tourism policy' along with an authority for the purpose. Another policy to deal with kendu leaves and other minor forest produces is also coming. "Minor forest produces would be provided e-platform so that it can generate better price. On plantation front the Department has set a target to plant 3.25 crore new saplings on 8,000 hectares, especially in barren Santhal Pargana region," said Forest and Environment Secretary Arun Kumar Singh and expressed hope that the State can earn carbon credits based on its lower carbon emission in future.
To connect all sections together in the endeavour, the CM also announced initiatives for schools. 'Green School' with most number of plantations done in a year would be awarded with Rs 1 lakh while second prize would be of Rs 50,000. Similar awards have been announced for NGOs and social organisations and would be conferred during Jharkhand's Foundation Day on November 15 which would now be celebrated for a month. The CM also appealed all the schools, hospitals and other organisations to plant at least 10 trees in a year.
Delving more on the issue, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Saryu Roy called for no difference between what is said and done for environmental protection. "Our words are not matching our deeds and this is the real problem. That is why it is being calculated that by 2050 we need two more planets like earth to meet our demands! Forest Department is there but mining is being conducted rampantly as it is not paying much heed to check it. Development is necessary but it should be in accordance with environment and not adverse to it. What we are doing is not utilisation of our natural resources but exploitation," said the Minister who is better known for his efforts in making Damodar and Subarnarekha rivers free from industrial pollution.
Roy, on the occasion, called upon "informed minds" of the society to work in this direction and also questioned non-utilisation of CAMPA fund. JSPCB chairman AK Mishra stressed on cleaning rivers in Jharkhand in the line of clean Ganga mission and counted on the efforts done by the Board in that direction. PCCF BC Nigam while expressing concern over environmental degradation, said that their effects were becoming more visible now in the form of reoccurring natural calamities.
Several industrial houses, mines and individuals were also given awards for their contribution in the field of environmental protection.