Varanasi,

8 July (HS): Ravindra Jaiswal, Minister

of State (Independent Charge) for Stamp and Court Registration Fees, Government

of Uttar Pradesh, said that the future of the coming generations can be secured

only by protecting the environment. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi

is also serious about environmental protection and is constantly making efforts

so that our next generation can live in a clean, safe and sustainable

environment.

In a dialogue program organized at the

Commissioner's Auditorium on Tuesday, Minister Jaiswal said that 'Vriksharopan

Maha Abhiyan-2025' is being started in the entire state from Wednesday. Under this,

a target of planting 37 crore saplings has been set in the entire state.

District Varanasi has got a target of planting 18,31,300 saplings in this Maha

Abhiyan.

Public movement should be made with participation of

all: Minister Jaiswal said that public participation is essential to make this

campaign 100% successful. He said that along with departmental efforts,

participation of the general public can give this campaign the form of a movement.

He especially appealed for cooperation from schools, development authority,

religious institutions and social organizations. The minister called upon the

principals to make tree plantation practical and not limit it to the theory of

the curriculum. He suggested that every student in schools should be given a

plant and marks should be given on the basis of the growth of that plant during

the examination. While directing the development authority, he said that it

should be made mandatory to plant trees at every construction site and

provision of tree plantation should also be ensured while passing the building

map. He said that due to increase in population, trees are being cut, farms and

barns are decreasing, and this is a matter of concern.

Environmental protection is also a part of tradition

and culture: The minister said that there is a tradition of worshipping trees

in our culture. Trees like Peepal and Neem are considered to be the form of

gods. The tradition of worshipping rivers as mother is also a part of this

thinking. He also explained the need to install water harvesting system in all

schools.

Emphasis will be given on special plants: Under this

campaign, 10 thousand catechu, 20 thousand Arjun (for silkworm rearing),

Sindoor, Shahjan, Mulberry, Neem, Peepal, Paan, Arecanut etc. plants will be

planted. Arrangements will be made for distribution of saplings from all major

temples.

Invitation to the opposition as well: The Minister

of State said that the environment is not the responsibility of any particular

party, but the collective responsibility of all of us. He said that the leaders

of the opposition parties will also be included in this campaign and 5 saplings

each will be made available to them for planting.

At the end of the program, Minister Ravindra Jaiswal

distributed vermilion and fruit plants to the principals of schools and other

invited guests. He also announced to provide 2000 tree guards from his MLA fund

for the protection of trees.

On this occasion, Municipal Commissioner Akshat

Verma, Chief Development Officer Himanshu Nagpal, DFO Swati Singh, Secretary of

Development Authority, District School Inspector and Principals of Secondary

Schools were present.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi