Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, March 21: A state-level celebration of the World Forestry Day was organised by Vana Surukhya Samiti (VSS) at the Soochna Bhavan, here. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, forest and environment minister Bikram Keshari Arukh, development commissioner Upendra Nath Behera and principal chief conservator of forests J D Sharma were present during the event. The programme was inaugurated after the CM lit a lamp. A book titled, “Forest and Climate Change”, was also released during the event.
The theme of the World Forestry Day this year was “protect the environment”. During the occasion CM felicitated 20 range officers and foresters from Baripada, Nabarangpur, Phulbani, Rairakhol, Cuttack, Deogarh, Titilagarh, Ghumusur, Bhawanipatana, Sambalpur, Angul, Khariar and Rajnagar forest divisions, for their contributions to save the forests and the environment.
The CM said, “Preservation and protection of forest in the state is 35 per cent higher than the national average. … Forest is essential for the survival and welfare of human lives and its importance is increasing day by day. Forest is a collective wealth and a community property. Each and every individual must contribute towards its preservation and growth so that our children can lead a good life”. The Chief Minister said that protection and promotion of forests was not the task of the forest department alone; there had to be collaborative efforts among community, police, soil conservation and water resources department to increase the green cover in the state. He also said, “The departmental officers should focus on increasing the green density in forest lands through appropriate techniques and community participation.”
During the occasion, forest and environment minister Bikram Keshari Arukh said, “The state government has made some awareness programs and schemes to protect the forest and environment in order to minimise the damage that are often caused by elephants and other wild animals.”
The principal chief conservator of forests J D Sharma presided over the function and outlined the objectives of the celebration. He said, “Forests are collective wealth and are community property. Each and every individual must contribute towards its preservation and growth so that our children can lead a good life.”
