Successive govts. failed to protect green cover, says Mallikarjun Kharge
He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the 'Hasiru Patha' and 'Hasiru Hejje-Kalaburagi' programmes under Vanamahotsava-2025 jointly organised by Departments of Forest, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Urban Development and the district administration here on Saturday.
Though the country has lost its 20 lakh hectares of forest cover in the last ten years, the State governments are nonchalant in implementing the laws to protect the forest land, Mr. Kharge alleged.
'Our former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi introduced the Forest Conservation Act 1980, and further the Forest Rights Act was introduced during Man Mohan Singh's tenure, and recently the Modi-led government enacted the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, but no States in the country are fully complying with forest related laws. If this situation continues, the environment degradation can indeed worsen air quality and generate more health hazards in the coming days,' Mr. Kharge expressed.
Expressing concern over the increasing deaths due to cardiac arrest, especially among youngsters' the leader said that clean air, water and a healthy environment are crucial for good health.
Currently, India's forest and tree cover is 25.17 % of the country's geographical area, while Karnataka's forest cover is at 21.21 % of its total geographical area. At least 33% of forest cover is necessary to ensure adequate oxygen supply and water availability and to promote environmental health.
Stressing on the need to increase forest cover to combat climate change and global warming, Mr. Kharge suggested the State government develop forests near the backwaters of the reservoirs and dams.
The leader appealed to the public to join their hands with the government in expanding green cover by planting saplings at their homes, schools, and on the borders of agricultural fields. Just planting saplings is not a solution, ensuring survival of the planted trees is equally important, he said.
The State government aims to plant three crore saplings this year, of which even if 2.5 crore of saplings survive, it will be highly beneficial, Mr. Kharge expressed.
Mr. Kharge also distributed saplings to the students on the occasion.
Minister for Forest and Environment Eshwar B. Khandre and Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge; MP, legislators, senior officials from the Forest Department, RDPR and Urban Development departments were present.
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