As we head into World Environment Day, The Logical Indian will be focusing on the #ClimateCrisis upon us and highlight the harsh realities about the environment we are living in. It will be our effort to bring out the true picture of the situation and offer ideas and solutions to mitigate the problem.
After the positive implementation of several infrastructural projects across the country, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highway, Nitin Gadkari is all set to plant 125 crore trees along the national highways in the country. The number of trees will be equal to the population in the country.
The move, aimed at achieving ecological balance, has garnered much applause from the citizens of the country. However, in June 2014, he made a similar promise of planting 200 crore trees
As per the Paris Agreement, India has vowed to increase its forests cover by 95 million hectares by 2030, costing around $6.2 billion.
“The protection of the environment and the mother planet is an article of faith,” Prime Minister Modi said at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
Since the year 2017, multiple initiatives have been taken in several parts of the country by various governments, organisations and private individuals to meet that goal.
Madhya Pradesh’s Mass Tree Plantation
On July 02, 2017, approximately 1.5 million volunteers planted more than 66 million trees in 12 hours. This step witnessed the growing of 20 different species of trees in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
This effort of mass tree plantation was regarded as “historic” by the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and a major contribution in combating global warming and climate change. The state was later awarded the a place in ‘Guinness Book Of World Records’.
Andhra Pradesh’s Van Mahotsav
On July 15, 2018, former Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu launched ‘Van Mahotsav’ in Andhra Pradesh. It aimed at planting 26 crore trees within a span of four months, committing to environmental conservation and several other green initiatives.
The Chief Minister planted the first sapling with a promise to plant 26 crore saplings in the next 127 days. He emphasised on community participation and awareness on the importance of preserving the green belt.
The Van Mahotsav campaign was a part of Mission ‘Haritha Andhra’, which was the state government’s successful attempt to create and maintain green cover in the state. Andhra Pradesh, a state which has 26% green cover aims to increase it to 50% by the year 2029.
Uttar Pradesh’s Efforts to Maintain Green Cover
To increase and maintain the green lungs of the state of Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi government had planned to build a visionary target of tree plantation since the year 2016.
In the year 2018, the state planted 11.2 crore trees and aims to increase it from 9.1% to 15% in the coming year. This year, the government is expected to plant approximately 22 crore trees in the state. The farmers in UP grow almost 2 crore “poplar” trees every year.
Maharashtra’s Tree Plantation Campaign
‘Tree Plantation 2019’ is one of the most ambitious initiatives of the Government of Maharashtra. Under this, the State Government planned to plant around 2 crore trees to replenish the green cover in the state. The initiative included a plan of planting 50 crore saplings in the coming three years.
The campaign benefitted as many as 36 districts of the state.
Green Belt of Thane, Maharashtra
Recently, Thane also successfully met the target of 75% tree plantation within a span of two weeks. Thane District of Mumbai is now greener as compared to a few years back with the ongoing plan of planting 24 lakh trees by July 31st 2019. The state of Maharashtra also aims at growing 13 crore trees by the end of this year.
SayTrees- Young Minds Attempt to Save Trees
SayTrees, a Bangalore based organisation formed by individuals committed to protecting the environment, focuses on growing saplings in schools outside the city. They expect to expand to over 10,000 trees in the coming months.
Saalumarada Thimmakka-106-Yr-Old Environmentalist
Thimmakka, also known as ‘Vriksha Mathe’ which means mother of trees, was awarded the country’s fourth highest civilian award for her dedicated effort to spread greenery on the planet. Thimmakka is from Karnataka and has been listed in BBC’s most influential & inspirational 100 women.
She has successfully planted 8000 trees within a span 80 years. She has planted 384 banyan trees and nurtured them within five-km stretch in the outskirts of Bangalore.
Meghalaya’s World Record Target
The Meghalaya government has recently launched a campaign to plant over a million trees on the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5.
By launching a campaign, ‘One Citizen One Tree’, CM Conrad K Sangma reached out to people to take up the responsibility of planting a sapling and look after it in a way to preserve the green mountains and increase the green cover of the hill state.
Join the Movement
India is the world’s third-biggest emissions generator, and such initiatives take us a step closer to protect the environment and promote judicious and sustainable use of resources for future generations to come.
According to a UN Report, air pollution is a silent killer which leads to premature deaths of seven million people every year, including 600,000 children. It is important to combat air pollution by encouraging afforestation and increase the green cover across the country.
Since the last few years, there has been concerted efforts to increase tree cover and advocate for tree protection.
The Logical Indian wholeheartedly appreciates the initiatives taken by the Government, organizations and individuals and their dedication and commitment to save the planet.
This article is part of a campaign to create awareness on environmental issues and the #ClimateCrisis that is impending on the earth.
