Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav called the nation forward to make the environment green.
New Delhi: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organised the ‘Hariyali Mahotsav’ — Tree Festival at the Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi on Friday. The event was organised in collaboration with the state governments, police institutions of the NCT government of Delhi and schools of Delhi for undertaking plantation drives on the occasion and creating awareness about the importance of trees to protect our environment for present as well as future generations.
Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav called the nation forward to make the environment green and highlighted that protection of rivers, mountains and environment is a deeply embedded Indian sentiment as inscribed in our national song ‘Vande Mataram’.
Lauding the participation of thousands of school children from Delhi, Delhi Police, officials of Delhi Forest Department, officials from M/o Environment, Forest and Climate Change, civil societies/NGOs and institutions from all across the country in joining the festival of “tree planting” in person and those who joined through virtual mode across the country, he urged people to follow environment friendly lifestyle to save our planet. Tree plantation is one of the actions towards Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)as announced by the Prime Minister in CoP 26 at Glasgowand it is a need for all of us to come together to take LiFE forward as a campaign.
The programme involves planation activities at 75 Nagar Vans, 75 km of road length around 75 Police establishments, in 75 schools of Delhi and 75 degraded sites across the country which are clear indication that people are not only welcoming but willing for participation in nature conservation.
He appreciated the efforts of the nation in already achieving the country’s target of producing 175 GW of renewable power and moving with full force in reaching the renewed target of creation of 500 GW of renewable energy, as announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister at CoP26. India has committed to meet 50 percent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030. He also shared the achievements and benefits of Soil Health Card Scheme launched by the Prime Minister. Till date about 23 crores soil health cards have been issued which shows our commitment towards health of soil.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ashwini Kumar Choubey said that tackling climate change is among the major challenges confronting the world. He reiterated PM’s clarion call for Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) and highlighted the importance of trees in Indian Vedas and mythology. The minister shared his resolve to plant trees continuously over the next 2 months and urged the nation to not only plant trees but also nurture them.
Secretary, Leena Nandan said everyone has a relation with nature and the programme is marked not only for plantation of trees but also symbolises the celebration of 75 years of Independence as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. She appealed to the children to not only resolve to plant trees but also spread the message to every individual they come across.
Commissioner of Police, Rakesh Asthana; Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, Chandra Prakash Goyal; PCCF NCT of Delhi, C D Singh and Additional Director General of Forests, Dr S P Yadavand other senior officers of MoEF&CC also participated in the event. The children from various schools of Delhi and other stakeholders also joined the celebration.
