Development must go hand in hand with environmental balance: CM
Target of planting 2.10 crore saplings in Haryana to be achieved through collective efforts: CM
CM lays foundation stone of Saraswati Reservoir, Biodiversity Park and Jungle Safari at Seonsar, Kurukshetra
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh –
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini said protecting nature and environment is not merely a government initiative but the responsibility of every citizen. Amidst continuous development, we must not forget that the basis of life lies in nature and trees. Issues like climate change, irregular rainfall and rising temperatures can only be addressed through large-scale tree plantation and their protection, which is essential for securing our future. The Haryana Government has set ambitious targets in this regard, including planting 2.10 crore saplings across the state under various campaigns, to be achieved with collective efforts.
The Chief Minister was addressing the 76th State-Level Van Mahotsav organized at Seonsar in Kurukshetra district today. Earlier, he laid the foundation stone of the Saraswati Wetland Reservoir, Saraswati Flora & Biodiversity Conservation Park, and Saraswati Jungle Safari. He also released the ‘Triphala’ booklet. On this occasion, the Chief Minister planted saplings to give a message of environmental protection. During the ceremony, he also unveiled the Haryana Wildlife Map, Kurukshetra Wildlife Map, and five books prepared by the Forest Department.
Saini said the 76th State-Level Van Mahotsav is not just an event, but a symbol of gratitude towards nature, responsibility and a resolve to ensure a happy future for generations to come. This is the third event in the series of this year’s State-Level Van Mahotsav celebrations. Various programmes are also being held at the district level across the state, with active participation from local people and students.
He said Van Mahotsav means a festival of forests, a tribute to nature, and an expansion of greenery. It reminds us that trees are not just a source of wood but the foundation of life. He said while we are moving ahead rapidly in the race for modernity, Van Mahotsav reminds us not to exploit nature but to learn to coexist with it. Recognizing the importance of trees, the government has launched several plantation drives, which have yielded positive results. Many plans have been formulated to increase forest cover.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also launched a unique campaign, “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, on June 5, 2024, on World Environment Day at Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi. In the first phase of this campaign, a target of planting 1.60 crore saplings in Haryana was set, but the state exceeded the target by planting 1.87 crore saplings. This year, on June 5, the second phase of “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” began, with a target of 2.10 crore saplings. Since October 2014, about 18 crore saplings have been planted in the state.
Opposition earlier blamed EVMs, now running a new agenda of ‘vote theft’
The Chief Minister said under PM Modi’s leadership, India has progressed rapidly over the past 11 years, but the opposition always criticizes the government’s work. He said it is concerning that the opposition’s role today is only to find faults. Taking a jibe, he said the party which ruled the country for 55 years and was shown the door by the people for failing to meet their expectations, used to blame Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) earlier, but now, it has come up with a new agenda of ‘vote chori’. Someone should tell them that votes were not stolen, rather, the people rejected them because of their wrongdoings.