While presiding over the meeting with the departments related to the forest conversation on World Environment Day at Raj Bhavan, today, Governor Bandaru Dattatraya said that this day was important for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of our environment. He said that the environment that we live in was very important not only for our health but for our survival, so there was a major need for us to safeguard it. He said that it was vital to take effective steps towards cleaner living habits, in order to protect the environment and preserve the planet for the future generations. He said that the issue of global warming was also important, so measures should be taken to promote and contribute towards environment protection and it was our need not for our greed, he added. Shri Dattatraya stressed the need to focus on wild life tourism to attract more and more tourist to strengthen the economy. People were interested to explore tribal areas and tourism in far flung areas should be promoted. He said that coronavirus has taught us a lesson to protect our environment and revival of old tradition. He expressed happiness over the efforts being made by the departments in this direction and conserving our environment.
Dr. Ajay Kumar, Head of Forest Force (PCCF) apprised the Governor about the efforts being made by the forest force to protect our rich forest cover and also contribution in pollution control. He added that the main focus of the Department is to enhance the green cover of the state besides enriching eco system. He said that the department has focussed on converting forest area into green cover which was 27.72 percent till date. He said that total forest area was 37948 sq.km, which counts 66 percent and forest cover was 15,433 sq.km. He said that forest contributed about six percent to the GDP of the State in addition to the other benefits like water in rivers and snow harvesting. Director, Environment Science and Technology D.C. Rana gave power point presentation and detailed about various programme focussed on environment protection. He said that the department have taken initiative to develop smart villages which were carbon neutral and has promoted green technology in the state. He also briefed about environment projects including solid waste management and climate change adaptation. Secretary to the Governor Rakesh Kanwar, other officers of Environment Science and Technology, Forest, NGOs working on environment protection were also present on the occasion.