Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday announced that over five crore saplings will planted across the state to substantially increase the green cover.
The drive has been launched on the call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the campaign – ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ – which is going on across the country.
Speaking at the 75th Van Mahotsav at Dumuduma Government High School in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister said that people’s participation in this campaign, started on the call of the Prime Minister, is very encouraging.
It calls for planting trees at individual level and uploading photos. And the maximum numbers of 1.48 lakh photos have been uploaded in Odisha so far in this campaign.
Stating that Odisha is at the forefront in the campaign, Majhi said as our population is 4.5 crore, we aim to plant as many trees in this campaign.
Stressing that there is a plan to plant over five crore saplings across the state, he called upon people to get actively involved in this programme and upload photos by planting trees.
The Chief Minister said that in order to protect the public from lightning-related accidents, the forest department has planned to plant 19 lakh palm trees in the forest blocks of the state this year. This will be our lightning rod, he said.
He also said that cherry blossom trees are being planted in Daringbadi. He said it was a good campaign to put Daringbadi on the world cherry blossom map.
Chief Minister said that environmental balance is very important for us. If we are all aware, we can prevent environmental change. He said that the cooperation and cooperation of the common people is necessary for this.
Speaking at the event, Minister of State for Forests, Environment and Climate Change and Labor and Employees Insurance, Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia said that protecting the environment is the responsibility of all. He said that the change in modern lifestyle and protection of land, water and forest is now the responsibility of all.
Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Forests, Environment and Climate Change Satyabrata Sahu explained the vision and mission of the festival. He said that massive plant generation program is being organized for roadside afforestation and urban afforestation this year.
The ceremony was held in the presence of departmental officers of forest department, dignitaries, invited guests, school teachers, students, media representatives.
Earlier, a plantation programme was held in the school premises in the presence of Chief Minister and other distinguished guests.
State level Biju Patnaik Award for outstanding forest conservation and afforestation work was awarded to Batasar Ban Sanrakshyan Samiti, Nabarangpur and Sagarpali Ban Sanrakshyan Samiti, Sundergarh. These two institutions were presented Rs 1 lakh each and the appreciation letters were presented.