Odisha to plant 7.5 crore saplings in a yr: CM
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Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced an ambitious plan of planting 7.5 crore saplings across the state within a year. Speaking at the state-level celebration of World Environment Day at the OUAT Agriculture Education Hall in city, the CM emphasised the importance of public awareness and collective responsibility in protecting nature and ending plastic pollution.
"A healthy environment is essential for a healthy society," he said.
Addressing the rising threat of single-use plastic, the CM urged citizens to support a mass movement to eliminate plastic from daily life. "Plastic is harming our water, land and our biodiversity. We must act now to protect the future. The state has taken concrete steps to ban single-use plastic, promote sustainable alternatives and improve waste management.
Real change in society must begin with oneself and one's family," he added.
Highlighting key environmental achievements, Majhi said that Odisha increased its forest and tree cover by 560sqkm, placing the state fourth in the country in terms of forest expansion. He also mentioned the success of the 'One Tree, One Name' campaign, which resulted in the plantation of over 6.5 crore trees so far. Public and institutions set a record by planting over two crore saplings, Majhi added.
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"In a boost to air quality efforts, the state govt launched the State Clean Air Programme to combat pollution in urban areas. The Odisha State Pollution Control Board has been actively involved in implementing this initiative," he said.
Majhi also announced the formal recognition of Similipal as India's 107th National Park and launched the 'Our Similipal' initiative with a Rs 50 crore budget for conservation efforts.
During the ceremony, Majhi felicitated 185 Prakriti Mitras and 211 Prakriti Bandhu awardees for their outstanding contributions to environmental protection. Schools and teachers who won the Best Eco Club Award were also recognised. A student exhibition on "Ending Plastic Pollution" was showcased at the event. Several environmental reports and studies were also released, including the State Clean Air Programme-2025 and the Coastal Health Status Report.
On Thursday, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) launched a city-wide awareness and cleanliness drive to tackle plastic pollution. Participants took a green pledge to reduce plastic use, conserve energy and water and promote cleanliness and greenery. Special arrangements were made to distribute cotton carry bags among the public and in major marketplaces. BMC commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil announced plans to expand Miyawaki plantation to 20 new city locations this year.
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