Public participation vital for forest conservation: Speaker

Our Correspondent

Chamba, July 30
Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania emphasised the crucial role of public participation in the conservation of forest resources here today.
Pathania was speaking as the chief guest at a tree plantation drive organised at Matihar village in Chowari under the “75th Circle Level Forest Festival”. He inaugurated the drive by planting an Amla sapling.
Highlighting the initiatives taken by the state government for the protection of environment, Pathania urged people to plant trees under the initiative “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, which is this year’s theme for Van Mahotsav.
“This year, the Forest Department aims to plant trees across 9,000 hectares in the state. Over 16 lakh saplings of various species will be planted on over 2,000 hectares in the Chamba forest circle,” he said.
Pathania stressed the importance of ensuring public participation in forest conservation to meet future needs. “Environmental balance is essential for human life and providing clean air, water and a healthy ecosystem,” he said.
Regarding effective prevention measures against forest fires, Pathania said the state government had taken up the matter with the Central Government to remove pine needles under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) scheme before the start of the summer season. He also instructed the department to take necessary steps to encourage small-scale industries that produce pine needle-based products through self-help groups.
Pathania also discussed various ongoing development projects in Bhattiyat Assembly constituency.