Centre to develop 200 'urban forests' in five years


New Delhi, June 5 (IANS): On the occasion of the World Environment Day on Friday, the Central government announced the implementation of 'Nagar Van' scheme to develop 200 Urban Forests across the country in the next five years.

World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 every year. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change celebrates the day by focusing on the theme declared by the United Nation's Environment Programme and organises several events.

Stressing on this year's focus on Biodiversity, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said, "India has eight per cent of world's biodiversity, despite having many constraint like only 2.5 per cent of the world's landmass, has to carry 16 per cent of human as well as cattle population and having only four per cent of freshwater sources."

He said that the mega biodiversity that India has is the result of the Indian ethos which is in sync with the nature.

Highlighting the Indian culture, Javadekar said that India is the only country where trees, animals, birds, and reptiles are worshipped. "This is the respect Indian society places for the environment. With this activity of creating urban forest we will also create additional carbon sink", said the Union Minister.

Also present on the occasion was Union Minister of State Babul Supriyo who emphasized on tree plantation and soil moisture conservation and said that it works as a core strategy for biodiversity conservation in the country.

He emphasised that to address the problems of soil degradation, siltation and reduced water flow in the river basins and everyone has to work collectively.

The event also saw virtual participation from Executive Director, United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification, (UNCCD), Ibrahim Thiaw and Executive Director United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP), Inger Andersen.

The UNCCD executive director, Thaw, said, "Is it not time, that we realise that we need nature more than nature needs us, if at all. Is it not time, that we have the humility to rethink and redefine our relationship with nature. Perhaps, it is time for humanity to have a new social contract for nature."

Stressing on this year's theme, Andersen said that actions for nature means a lower risk of future pandemics, achieving the sustainable development goal, slowing climate change, healthier lives, and better economies.

"In a post COVID world, we need to build back better, we need to protect the planet to protect ourselves," she added.

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • abdulla, india

    Fri, Jun 05 2020

    1/Preserve and keep all 800,000 vIllages/Hallis as it is .
    Contrary: Multiply the Green cover.
    No need to make Rural to Urban.no need.
    we need Rural settings as Naturally..Rural.old..Traditional ..
    Rural
    BY LAW.
    2/No Trespassing into villages to make Illegal.constructions.
    3/Improve the life standards of the villagers.by:
    Clean/neat roads.with electricity.
    water/drains/sewers.
    4/build schools/ chiller/ stores./warehouse to store produce.
    5/Grammbank/ATM facilities.
    6/Clinics/hospitals for health and safety.
    7/Set up QC ..Food labs/ Workshops for Tractors./Tillers etc.
    RUAL should be full of Green cover/ green patch all over.
    Keep planting TREES.
    varieties of Trees...
    and develop:
    Horticulture...Apiculture....dairy..poultry... etc.

    LET THE VILLAGES BE LEFT AS HERITAGE: CULTURE: Clean/Neat..
    LUSH GREEN..
    for generations to enjoy.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Eddison Dsouza, mangalore

    Fri, Jun 05 2020

    Undu vonji baaki ithend

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anamika, Kudla

    Fri, Jun 05 2020

    What happened to 100 smart cities?

    In Mangalore, roads are dug and many internal roads are in very bad condition. However under smart city fund, work is taken up at Kadri without tender process. Even during Corona crisis this work is taken up with ulterior motive of swindling money.

    Finish the smart cities before you take up urban forest.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Fri, Jun 05 2020

    Very soon Jungle Raj ...

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anonymous, Muscat

    Fri, Jun 05 2020

    Why only 200, when you already know it’s a jumla

    Tell 200000 forest

    Anyways it’s a goal post shifting to the next 5 years

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sahil, Mangaluru

    Fri, Jun 05 2020

    For whom it will be benefited.. We don't want to develop nature just protect. You can transfer jobless home guard to protect forests...dont make jumla we all not foolish....

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shivshankar, Mangalore

    Fri, Jun 05 2020

    Wants to do strict law no one can hurt wild animals by any means. Worst seen recently in literate state.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Roshan, Mangalore / Abu Dhabi

    Fri, Jun 05 2020

    Let the Govt. take appropriate action to safe guard the wild animals by erecting proper fence around reserve forest. If wild animals come & destroy poor farmers crops who will compensate? Dongi politicians don't help farmers in their difficulties. We all are depending on farm crops.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Fri, Jun 05 2020

    BJP's Vikas - Smart Cities to Urban Forests ...

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse


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