New Delhi:
The government on World Environment Day on June 5 termed urban forestry as its new thrust area and announced it would take up soon a massive plantation drive in 200 cities. While highlighting the need for increasing green cover and protecting wildlife, Union Minster for Environment asked people to take selfies and share it on wedselfie.nic.in.
“Urban forestry is the new thrust area and we will be taking up massive tree plantation drive in as many as 200 cities and towns across the country,” Javadekar said at a function at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai.
Ministry will also launch the Urban Forestry Scheme in Pune, where 6000 saplings will be planted to create an urban jungle on about 80 acres of land, he added. He also drew attention towards active participation of people without which it would not be possible to save the environment.
While speaking on the seminal importance of environment, green cover in the country he also drew attention towards this year’s Environment Day’s theme: ‘Go Wild For Life’.
“Government this year began celebrations of World Environment Day by launching Asia's first Vulture Re-introduction Programme at Pinjore in Haryana,” he said.
He talked about the decrease in the number of vultures in the country. the true 'Swachch Bharat' volunteers, had become endangered since 1990, after eating carcasses of cattle which were injected with Diclofenac.
He also urged the people not to buy any product made from body parts of a wild animal. Talking about the government measures for the protection of wildlife, he spoke of several measures to curb the wildlife trade. To send a message to end the wildlife trafficking, Javadekar, later burnt the confiscated wildlife products in the open.
