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Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
PM marks World Environment Day with a Sindoor sapling
NEW DELHI: On World Environment Day Thursday, PM Narendra Modi planted a Sindoor sapling at his residence and launched a special plantation drive in the capital as part of Centre's Aravalli Green Wall Project, which aims to reforest the 700-km mountain range that stretches from Delhi to Gujarat. The Sindoor sapling was gifted to him by a group of women during his recent visit to Kutch. The women, displaying remarkable courage, had helped Army rebuild an airfield during 1971 Indo-Pak war. Recalling his visit to Gujarat, the PM, in a post on X, said the Sindoor sapling represented for him bravery and inspirational role of women in the country. The PM planted a tree at Bhagwan Mahavir Vanasthali Park in the capital. CMs of all four Aravalli states, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, participated in the programme by planting trees in Aravalli districts falling under their respective jurisdiction.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Gujarat CM calls for collective action to transform PM Modi's vision of 'ending plastic pollution' into mass movement
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 6 (ANI): During the World Environment Day 2025 event held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel called for collective efforts to transform the Prime Minister's vision of 'Ending Plastic Pollution' into a mass movement. The program, jointly organised by the Forest and Environment Department and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board, was graced by Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Mulubhai Bera and Minister of State Shri Mukesh Patel. CM Patel emphasised that World Environment Day is more than just an event; it is a day for everyone to pledge to end plastic pollution. He highlighted the ongoing nationwide campaign, 'One Nation, One Mission - End Plastic Pollution,' which has been active for the past 15 days under the leadership of the Prime Minister. The CM stated that development cannot come at the cost of the environment. The Prime Minister has envisioned sustainable development through environmental conservation. The CM stated that the spirit of environmental preservation has been deeply embedded in our culture since ancient times, reflected in the belief in seeing divinity in plants. He also shared details about the launch of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0 campaign, which includes the development of 'Sindoor Van' in Ahmedabad and the creation of 'Matru Van' through the plantation of 4,000 saplings at the Secretariat premises in Gandhinagar. The CM expressed concern over the increasing environmental risks due to the easy and widespread use of plastic. He stated that plastic is one of humanity's significant inventions and has become an integral part of our lifestyle. However, single-use plastic poses a serious threat to the environment and future generations. The time has come to decide whether we want to leave the next generation a world filled with plastic or one that is free from plastic. As responsible citizens and civilised people, we must acknowledge the damage and serious risks posed by unnecessary plastic use, CM stated. The Chief Minister said that as part of the Aravalli Green Wall Project launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on World Environment Day, the state government aims to plant tree saplings over 19,225 hectares across seven districts of Gujarat, namely, Aravalli, Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Panchmahal, Mahisagar, and Dahod. He highlighted that starting from this year's World Environment Day, the Prime Minister has introduced the four 'R's -- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover -- as a mantra for environmental protection. Shri Narendra Modi is a visionary leader who has consistently pioneered innovative approaches to environmental conservation and sustainable resource management both nationally and globally. Initiatives like 'One Sun, One Earth,' promoting renewable energy, the 'Net Zero' carbon emissions goal, 'Green Growth' for sustainable development, and 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' to preserve Earth's greenery are landmark programs that guide the nation towards a sustainable future. The Chief Minister added that the Prime Minister has emphasised environmental and nature conservation in our daily lives through initiatives like 'Catch the Rain' for groundwater recharge and 'Mission LiFE' for water sustainability. The Chief Minister mentioned the installation of cloth bag vending machines and plastic bottle crusher machines at various locations across the state and appealed to the public to use cloth bags. He said that by adopting small habits and efforts, like using cloth bags and carrying steel bottles for water, we should initiate the change ourselves. On behalf of Gujarat, the Chief Minister congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Armed Forces for the remarkable success of Operation Sindoor. He said that this operation firmly established the Prime Minister's 'Zero Tolerance Against Terrorism' policy globally. Additionally, on this year's World Environment Day, the Prime Minister has initiated a mission to make India free from plastic pollution with a strong commitment to 'End Plastic Pollution,' the Chief Minister added. On the occasion of World Environment Day, Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Mulubhai Bera extended greetings and said that the day represents a collective resolve, a commitment to conservation, and a reflection of sensitivity towards nature. He noted that the theme for World Environment Day 2025 is 'End Plastic Pollution.'Mulubhai Bera observed that the reverence for nature has been deeply ingrained in Indian tradition since ancient times. Our Vedas contain verses advocating water conservation, and we follow the philosophy of seeing divinity in nature. As cited in the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, 'Among trees, I am the Peepal tree; among animals, I am the lion.' Even today, women observe Vat Savitri Vrat and worship the banyan tree, reflecting the unbreakable bond between nature and Indian culture. He said this nature-centric culture is India's unique strength. He stated that the observance of World Environment Day is a timely opportunity to introspect, renew our thinking, and adopt environment-friendly practices. Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Gujarat continues to take proactive steps for environmental protection and conservation. Initiatives such as Mission LiFE, MISHTI Yojana, and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam have helped increase public awareness and instilled a collective sense of environmental responsibility. The minister cautioned that the same modern conveniences that have simplified life have also led to grave environmental challenges, most notably, the menace of single-use plastic. He explained that such plastic renders soil infertile, pollutes rivers and oceans, and ultimately returns to our food chain in the form of microplastics. In response, the Forest and Environment Department has undertaken several focused initiatives to curb plastic pollution. As part of the plastic-free campaign, awareness drives are being conducted across forest areas, religious places, tourist destinations, and schools to educate people about eco-friendly alternatives. Under the leadership of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), 646 plastic processing units, 7 waste-to-energy plants, and 5 co-processing cement plants are operational across the state. Innovative solutions like reverse vending machines, cloth bag vending ATMs, and eco-friendly Prasad boxes are further reinforcing the state's commitment to environmental conservation. Minister of State for Forest and Environment Mukesh Patel also extended greetings to the citizens and mentioned that Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel had formally launched the state-wide Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign and tree plantation drive under the Matruvan initiative. Referring to last year's efforts under the same campaign, he highlighted that 17.50 crore trees were planted in Gujarat, making it the second-highest contributor in the country in terms of total plantations. He further raised concerns about the growing health implications of plastic pollution, pointing out that traces of microplastics are now increasingly being found in food. As part of the ongoing state-wide environmental campaign that began on May 22, more than 1.5 lakh citizens have actively participated in over 2,500 events, including beach and garden clean-up drives. These efforts have led to the collection and proper disposal of more than 6 lakh kilograms of plastic waste. Shri Mukesh Patel added that Gujarat has remained a pioneer in encouraging alternatives to single-use plastic. GPCB has approved over 225 units manufacturing compostable plastic alternatives and around 40 units producing cloth and paper bags. He urged all citizens to commit themselves and their families to eliminating plastic from daily use, adding that only such a collective pledge can lead to a truly plastic-free planet. As part of the World Environment Day celebrations, CM Bhupendra Patel visited an exhibition featuring innovative projects and startups working in the areas of plastic recycling and reuse. He interacted with the participants and encouraged them for their contributions towards sustainability. A documentary was also screened covering key topics such as Best Practices in Plastic Waste Management in Gujarat, the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, and other awareness activities conducted in the lead-up to World Environment Day. In Surat, strategic MoUs were signed between the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) and its member units for effluent trading, in the presence of the Chief Minister. Additionally, Shri Bhupendra Patel virtually inaugurated, laid foundation stones, and launched a total of 11 diverse development and environment-related projects. The programme was attended by Gandhinagar North MLA Ritaben Patel, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister MK Das, GPCB Chairman RB Barad, Principal Secretary of the Forest and Environment Department Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary RC Meena, Municipal Administrative Commissioner Sushri Remya Mohan, Head of Forest Force AP Singh, and PCCF Wildlife Jaypal Singh. Senior officials and staff from the Forest Department and GPCB, along with representatives of environmental NGOs, also took part in the event.(ANI)
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Modi launches initiatives to shape cleaner, greener future for Delhi
DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off electric buses in the national capital and planted a sapling at Bhagwan Mahavir Vanasthali Park on Thursday as part of a broader mission to build a 'clean and green Delhi' and rejuvenate the Aravali mountain range. Mr. Modi was accompanied by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena, both of whom reiterated their commitment to sustainable urban development and environmental conservation on World Environment Day. 'Flagged off electric buses under an initiative of the Delhi government aimed at boosting sustainable development and clean urban mobility. Additionally, this will improve ease of living for the people of Delhi,' Mr. Modi posted on X. The Prime Minister said the special planting initiative under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign was part of the government's efforts to reforest the Aravali range under the Aravalli Green Wall Project. 'Will address concerns' Highlighting that the Aravali range — one of the planet's oldest ranges that spans Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi — faces pressing environmental challenges, he said the government was committed to addressing them. 'Our focus is to rejuvenate areas linked with this range. We are going to work with the respective local administrations and going to emphasise things such as improving water systems, curbing dust storms, stopping eastward expansion of the Thar desert and more,' the Prime Minister said. 'In the Aravali range and beyond, in addition to the traditional planting methods, we will encourage new techniques, especially in urban and semi-urban areas where there are space constraints. Plantation activities will be geo-tagged and monitored on the Meri LiFE portal,' Mr. Modi said. At a separate event at Bharat Mandapam, Ms. Gupta called for a complete shift from plastic use in daily life. 'We need to free our lifestyle from plastic use. We have included plastic in our everyday life and now the situation is such that even our blood has plastic particles, which have become the cause of cancer and other diseases,' she said. 2.10 cr. saplings planted Mr.Saxena said over 2.10 crore saplings have been planted across the Capital by various agencies. He said that 30 wetlands and water bodies are being developed along the Yamuna floodplains, where seven lakh saplings have already been planted as part of ecological restoration efforts. He termed the government's dust mitigation plan a key step in combating air pollution. On clearing of landfill sites, he said 75 lakh metric tonnes of waste were already processed. The waste segregation machines rose from 12 to 75, raising daily capacity from 7,000 to 25,000 tonnes, he said.
United News of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
PM leads nationwide green drive; kicks off Aravalli Green Wall Project
New Delhi, June 5 (UNI) On the World Environment Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spearheaded a series of green initiatives, including the launch of an ambitious 'Aravalli Green Wall Project,' aimed at combating land degradation and the growing threats of climate change. Leading by example, the Prime Minister planted a sapling at Bhagwan Mahavir Vanasthali Park in Delhi's southern ridge area, further strengthening the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, which was launched last year to promote tree plantation in honour of one's mother. Highlighting the ecological significance of the Aravalli range, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, Modi emphasised its crucial role in four Indian states -- Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. He reiterated the government's commitment to addressing the environmental challenges facing the region and beyond. 'To rejuvenate the Aravalli range, we must combine traditional conservation methods with modern, innovative techniques, especially in urban and semi-urban areas where space is limited,' the Prime Minister said. He added that all plantation activities would be geo-tagged and monitored through the Meri LiFE portal, ensuring transparency and accountability. Calling upon the youth to become active participants in environmental protection, Modi urged them to contribute towards increasing the country's green cover. Taking to social media platform X, the Prime Minister shared details of the new initiatives, describing them as a boost to the ongoing 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. He said the focus would be on restoring degraded landscapes, improving local water systems, curbing dust storms, and halting the eastward spread of the Thar Desert. 'We will work closely with local administrations to implement these measures effectively,' he added. To mark the occasion, Modi also flagged off a fleet of electric buses under a Delhi government initiative to promote clean urban mobility and sustainable development. 'This move will not only build a greener and cleaner Delhi but also enhance the ease of living for its residents,' he posted on X. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister planted a Sindoor sapling at his New Delhi residence. The sapling was a gift from the women of Kutch, Gujarat, in recognition of their extraordinary courage and patriotism during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. Recalling his recent visit to Kutch, Modi described the gift as 'a powerful symbol of bravery and an inspiring tribute to the strength of women in our nation.'
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
On World Environment Day, PM Modi flags off Aravalli reforestation plan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi planted a sapling at the Bhagwan Mahavir Vanasthali Park here on World Environment Day on Thursday, extending the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign and launching a special initiative to reforest the 700-km Aravalli mountain range that stretches from Delhi to Gujarat. In a post on X, the prime minister said the Aravalli range is one of the oldest on the planet, covering Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi, and that the last several years have brought to the fore several environmental challenges relating to the range, which his government is committed to mitigating. "Our focus is to rejuvenate areas linked with this range. We are going to work with the respective local administrations and emphasise things such as improving water systems, curbing dust storms, stopping eastward expansion of the Thar desert and more," he said. "In the Aravalli range and beyond, in addition to the traditional planting methods, we will encourage new techniques, especially in urban and semi-urban areas where there are space constraints. Plantation activities will be geo-tagged and monitored on the Meri LiFE portal," he said. The prime minister called upon the youth to take part in the movement and contribute to increasing the planet's green cover. He also flagged off electric buses under the Delhi government's sustainable transport initiative. "This will also improve 'Ease of Living' for the people of Delhi," PM Modi said. The Aravalli Green Wall Project is a major initiative to expand green cover in the five-km buffer area around the Aravallis in 29 districts of the three states and a Union territory. The government said this initiative will play a crucial role in combating air pollution in the region, achieving India's climate goal of creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. The project will enhance the biodiversity of the Aravallis through afforestation, reforestation and restoration of water bodies. It will also help improve soil fertility and water availability in the region, the government said. It added that the project will benefit local communities by generating employment and income opportunities. The chief ministers of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat also participated in the launch of the project. Officials from the environment ministry said around 1,000 nurseries will be developed in the 29 districts located in the Aravalli range as part of the initiative. The five-km wide green buffer will cover 6.45 million hectares across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi. Within this buffer zone, about 42 per cent (2.7 million hectares) of land is currently degraded. The Aravalli range acts as a natural barrier against desertification, preventing the expansion of the Thar desert and protecting cities such as Delhi, Jaipur and Gurugram. It is also the source of important rivers such as the Chambal, Sabarmati and Luni. Its forests, grasslands and wetlands support endangered plant and animal species. However, deforestation, mining, livestock grazing, and human encroachment are worsening desertification, damaging aquifers, drying up lakes and reducing the range's ability to sustain wildlife. Of the total degraded area, 81 per cent is in Rajasthan, 15.8 per cent in Gujarat, 1.7 per cent in Haryana and 1.6 per cent in Delhi.
