NewzVille Desk
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah launched the ‘Mission 70 Lakh Plantation’ campaign in New Delhi.
On this occasion, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister Harsh Malhotra, and several other dignitaries were also present.
Addressing the event, Home Minister Shah said that many poisonous and thorny trees are visible in Delhi’s Ridge area, which create an illusion of a green Delhi when seen, but are not favorable to our environment.
He said that in 1994, 7,784 hectares of Delhi’s Ridge area were notified under the Indian Forest Act, but its final notification was not issued for 30 years. Delhi Government has taken steps in this direction and declared 5,000 hectares of this area as forest land. The government is going to provide legal protection to the entire Ridge, giving a new form to its biodiversity, soil, water, and Delhi’s environment. Within 3 years, trees that live for more than 100 years such as peepal, banyan, neem, gular, arjun, and jamun will be planted across the entire Ridge to turn it into the lungs of a green Delhi.
Home Minister Amit Shah said that by launching the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated a remarkable effort for environmental balance in the country. Indiscriminate tree felling has created large holes in the ozone layer, causing an imbalance in the earth’s temperature. The only way to stop this problem is to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide from the earth. He said only trees can accomplish this task, and that is why Prime Minister Modi has given the slogan ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.’
Shah appealed to people to plant trees in the name of their mothers and for Mother Earth. This campaign, with its dual purpose, will help India move forward in the coming days.
He said this campaign has sent a message not only to India but to the entire world that development without concern for environmental balance is pointless.
He also appealed to the residents of Delhi to plant at least one tree in their mother’s name and to involve children in this effort, as they will have to carry forward the resolve of a ‘Green Delhi’ in the future.
Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to all residents of Delhi to visit the Green Drive Portal and book their slot for tree plantation, and to plant trees wherever land is available in nearby schools, colonies, temples, and societies to fulfill the resolve of a green Delhi.
He said that free saplings are being provided to people through the Vriksh Rath launched by the Delhi Government, and the Nursery Locator facility also provides information about nearby nurseries.
The Minister further said that the Government of India and the Government of Delhi have resolved to fully develop 6,300 hectares of green Ridge area into forest land over the next four years and ensure its protection. This 6,300-hectare green Ridge will become the lungs of Delhi, protecting the environment of the capital. Under this, more than 1 crore native plants, more than 65 lakh plants that grow to become large trees, and 65 lakh other plants will be planted.
