Ahmedabad, July 12 (IANS). Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has appealed to the citizens to maintain public participation in environmental protection. Referring to the efforts of the Central Government, Shah said that the Central Armed Police Forces have completed the work of planting 7 crore saplings in the last 7 years.
Amit Shah on Sunday launched a tree plantation program under ‘Mission Five Million Trees’ in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He said the countrywide efforts reflect the focus on environment protection along with development. Home Minister Shah said, “Central paramilitary forces completed the work of planting seven crore saplings in seven years on Saturday itself.”
He told that two days ago, 43 lakh saplings were also planted in Delhi Ridge area. Home Minister Shah said that the plants selected under this campaign are indigenous species suited to Indian conditions, which can live for more than 100 years.
He said, “If you plant these today, your grandchildren will also sit in their shade. The age of none of these trees is less than 100 years. We have deliberately selected trees that live for more than a century.”
Amit Shah said that species like banyan and peepal not only absorb carbon dioxide but also provide food and shelter to birds and promote biodiversity. “Plant a banyan or peepal tree, and that single tree provides shelter, food and water to thousands of birds,” he said.
He also said that the oxygen park started in Ahmedabad will also provide habitat for butterflies and other wildlife.
Home Minister Shah said that after the launch of ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this campaign has become a mass movement in Ahmedabad. More than 1,37,000 people have registered online to plant five saplings each in Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency.
“Plants were delivered directly to the participants through a scientifically planned distribution system, while 28,544 residents of the other two parliamentary constituencies of Ahmedabad also joined the campaign,” he said.
The Union Minister also thanked several private organizations who adopted a large number of trees for three years and took the responsibility of caring for them, watering them and replacing them when needed.
–IANS
DCH/
