Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh on Sunday said that greater public participation is imperative for preserving green cover and protecting environment.The Minister said this while addressing Forest Officers and Engineers at The Institution of Engineers at Channi Himmat in Jammu today.Underscoring the importance of conserving forests the minister called for generating mass awareness among the people regarding hazardous impacts of environmental degradation due to deforestation. Lal Singh while emphasizing on carrying out massive plantation drive to maintain the fragile ecological balance directed the officers of the department to sensitize people regarding harmful impacts of environmental degradation and measures to protect our environment.
Underlining the need for putting in collective efforts for protecting of our environment, the Minister said that conservation of forests is necessary to combat the issues of global warming, soil erosion, pollution, maintenance of biodiversity and ecological balances.He further said that the government has taken several initiatives for conservation of forests and stress is being laid on increased survival of the plants being planted.Chief Conservator of Forests Roshan Jaggi, Chief Conservator of Eco-tourism and Wild Life Protection AK Gupta, Chairman Institution of Engineers Ajay Gupta, Former Chairman, Pollution Control Board, Dr CM Seth, Member Regional Empowered Committee, Northern Region, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change GoI Er VN Sharma besides others were present on the occasion.