Agartala, June 5 (IANS). Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have planted 6.40 crore trees across the country in the last eight years as part of efforts to protect forests and strengthen India’s environment.
The Union Home Minister addressed BSF troops at Lankamura Border Outpost on the India-Bangladesh border in West Tripura district. He said that less number of trees will be planted this year as the focus will also be on replacing those plants which were planted earlier but did not survive.
“Since 2019, CAPFs have together planted more than 6.40 crore trees of different species across the country. This year, around 40 lakh to 60 lakh trees will be planted and re-planted in areas where trees planted earlier did not survive,” he said.
Shah said the CAPF is planning to plant two crore trees next year, which is part of the ongoing nationwide effort to increase the forest cover and protect the environment. Rapid urbanization and large-scale felling of trees for development work is leading to rising temperatures and climate change, which is adversely affecting agriculture and human life and damaging the ozone layer.
“The only solution to face the changing environmental conditions is to increase forest cover, protect existing forests and adopt environment-friendly measures,” he said.
On World Environment Day, Shah along with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and other dignitaries planted saplings of various species at the Lankamura border outpost on the Bangladesh border.
He urged all concerned to plant trees on a large scale for the benefit of future generations and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always emphasized on energy conservation, environment protection and tree plantation.
Shah said India is actively adhering to the Paris Agreement on climate change and stressed the country’s commitment towards sustainable development.
He said that people should take care of the environment just like they take care of their children and loved ones. Protection of forests and natural resources is essential for the welfare of all.
The Home Minister warned, “If we do not act today to reverse the damage, rising temperatures, climate change and huge holes in the ozone layer will leave the planet uninhabitable.”
He further said that the Prime Minister has initiated several coordinated measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, promote environment-friendly power generation and reduce energy consumption. In a way, India’s model was recognized at the Paris conference as an ideal framework for climate action.
–IANS
ASH/ABM
