Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday directed to issue a toll-free number where people can give information regarding forest fires and share other related information. Participating in the 73rd Van Mahotsav Program inside the Vidhansabha premises he said that arrangements should be made so that without any delay the common people are able to provide information related to forest fire to the officials immediately and apart from that they would be able to share information related to cutting of trees inside forest etc.
He said that for the conservation of the forests apart from manual technology should be also used. The Chief Minister said that land forests are the identity of the state and their conservation is the moral responsibility of all as life can only survive as long as trees are there. Hemant Soren said that at present while one hand with touching the heights of development the environment is getting hurt somewhere therefore the line of development cannot be drawn by harming the environment.
There are many such schemes including road widening, construction of factories, urbanization reservoir construction for whose development and restoration countless trees are cut he said adding that it is important to keep in mind that the number of trees that are cut for development works can be compensated only by planting many times more trees.
The Chief Minister said that all have to take this responsibility to plant more and more trees and inspire others to plant trees too. The Chief Minister said that Van Mahotsav should not be a one-day event but Van Mahotsav should be held every day as the environment can be protected only by working in harmony with nature.
Some anti-social people are cutting trees indiscriminately through saw machine plant on forest-based areas and such things should be stopped immediately, otherwise, the remaining trees will also be cut he said.
He said that the state government has announced to provide 5 units of electricity per tree free of cost to those who would plant trees in their campuses in urban areas. In urban areas, people can take advantage of this by planting trees in the courtyard of their house he said adding that despite celebrating the 73rd Van Mahotsav the work done for forest and environment protection in these 73 years is not looking satisfactory as the greenery that should have been seen is not showing as much greenery which is a matter of concern.
He said that along with the villages, now the movement of wild animals is being seen in urban areas as well and the continuous movement of wild animals gives a clear indication that deforestation is continuing. Soren said that the homes of wild animals are being destroyed and they are being made homeless only then they are moving towards villages and cities.
“We will be able to preserve the wild animals only by saving the forests from being cut down, “ he said. During the occasion, the dignitaries participated in a plantation drive inside the Vidhansabha premises. The event was also attended by cabinet ministers, MLAs, and senior officials of the state government.