Arunachal: Khandu launches ‘Clean-Green Arunachal Campaign 2019′
Arunachal is known globally for its huge forest cover and is considered one of the eighteen ‘biodiversity hotspots’ in the world- Pema Khandu.
Itanagar
Chief Minister Pema Khandu today launched the statewide tree plantation programme ‘Clean-Green Arunachal Campaign 2019’ by kick starting the campaign to plant 1-lakh tree saplings within the next 24 hours.
Speaking on the occasion here at Art of Living campus at Jollang, Chief Minister said to achieve the target of planting 1 lakh tree in a day, the drive is being carried out across the state by the state forest department and called for the day to be celebrated with an applause. He said the campaign being held as part of Van Mahotsav celebration has also set the target of planting 1 Cr tree within the next five years.
Speaking on the biodiversity richness of the state, Chief Minister said Arunachal is known globally for its huge forest cover and is considered one of the eighteen ‘biodiversity hotspots’ in the world. He said the forest carbon stock in Arunachal comes to 148.52 tonnes per ha, which is highest in the country and whose value in terms of carbon credit at 6 Euros per tonne works out to Rs 48000 Cr annually.
Highlighting on the relevance of forest in tribal societies, Chief Minister said both are interconnected and culturally bonded where dependence on forest is vital for tribal people for their everyday needs. He called upon the forest department to come up with a vision to preserve this intricate link and to enable the tribal people to reap economic benefit from the forest in a sustainable way.
During the occasion, Chief Minister also called for giving forethought to such agendas, which in the name of protecting mother earth only aims to block the development vital for the well being of the state. He said such misplaced agendas are not in the interest of the state and called upon the young mind to analyse for themselves.
All dignitaries and school children present later carried out a ceremonial plantation drive on the occasion. Present on the occasion were Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and UD Minister Kamlung Mossang.
