New Delhi: On the occasion of World Environment Day, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar launched 'Urba n Forest Programme' in 200 municipal corporation areas and cities, while urging people to plant more trees and also ensure their growth to make a greener planet for posterity.
"There is a need to increase forest cover in urban areas to create and enhance their lung capacities. Rural areas have forests but urban areas don't have as much forest covers," said Javadekar during the virtual celebration of World Environment Day, 2020.
This year, the theme for Environment Day is "Nature and Biodiversity". While launching the 'Nagar Van Programme' or 'Urban Forest Programme', the Union Minister said, "Our lifestyle is with Nature. Urban Forests will work as Urban lungs. I appeal to the people to work together and make it a people's movement. Plant trees and also take care of their growth as they are the oxygen tanks."
He also mentioned, "India has been able to preserve 8% of world's biodiversity. This is no small feat. India has been able to prove that we can preserve biodiversity despite the constraints."
While mentioning about the importance of nature and biodiversity in Indian culture, the Union Minister asserted that 300 people lost their lives to save trees in Rajasthan.
READ: Leaders greet people on World Environment Day
Javadekar informed that in Pune city, the Wajre Urban Forest on a land area of 40 acres have been developed which has more than 65000 trees, 5 pounds and 2 watch towers and is rich in biodiversity with 23 plant species, 29 Birds species, 15 butterfly species, 10 reptile species and three mammal species. The initiative in under Private Public Partnership model by the Central Government.
The celebration of World Environment Day held every year on June 5 and it was started in 1974. Amid the Corona virus pandemic, this year ministry held virtual celebrations of the occasion.
Addressing the event, Minister of State, Babul Supriyo informed that the Government has set a target of planting 145 crore tress this year. He said, "Tree plantation is a very important step. This year's target for tree plantation is 145 crore. We should take a serious steps to protect forest and minimise the use of natural resources. Mother earth and nature have given signals which must not be ignored."
Earlier today, in a series of tweet, Prakash Javadekar, while extending his greetings on the occasion, said, "We must save electricity and generate electricity through solar or wind, so that we will save carbon emission. We need to use efficient electrical lights LED lights for saving electricity and switch off the plugs whenever you go out."
