Sustainable Development, Environment Conservation Top Priority Of Jammu And Kashmir Administration, Says Lt Governor Sinha

Jammu: Sustainable development and environment conservation is the top priority of the Jammu and Kashmir administration, which is making “honest efforts” to address the challenges of climate change, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Sunday (August 20). Lt Governor Sinha was speaking at the launch of the Green Jammu and Kashmir Drive 2023-24 at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) here. He informed that while four crore saplings were planted in the past three years, another 1.75 crore will be planted this year. He said,

Sustainable development and environment conservation is our priority. Protection of natural resources is in the DNA of our society, culture. With the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, we are making honest efforts to address the challenges of climate change.

Watch: How Climate Resilient Schools In India Can Tackle The Crisis Of Climate Change?

The drive has become a major contributor to increasing the Union Territory’s green cover, strengthening the ecology and building a healthier society, L-G Sinha said. He added,

In the past three years, we have been able to plant more than four crore saplings and the target for this year is to plant 1.75 crore plants to ensure ecological security.

The Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor highlighted the need to protect, preserve and restore the ecology and biodiversity for sustainable living. He said,

 Jammu and Kashmir has one of the most diverse forest areas in the country with 55 per cent forest and green cover. It is in the interest of the environment and our future generations to synergise development with the natural resources for sustainable development.

Also Read: India Brings ‘Mission LiFE’ To United Nations Through Special Exhibition

He said there is a saying that God forgives always, men forgive sometimes but nature never forgives. L-G Sinha continued,

It is high time that we realise that our rights over natural resources are temporary. We have to respect and restore the delicate balance between economic development and the conservation of forests and the environment.

Sharing key initiatives of his administration aimed at ecological conservation and protection of natural resources, he said 17 ‘nagar vans’ are being established near cities and towns. He said,

These will enhance the green cover in urban and peri-urban areas to provide a clean and healthy environment to the dwellers of urban centres. It is also being ensured that the city forests are established in all urban local bodies.

The Lt Governor said the environmental protection awareness campaigns have generated a sense of responsibility among the people and there is growing realisation that nature is the only lifeline for human existence.

Watch: Budget 2023: Net Zero, Renewable Energy Among Key Announcements Made For ‘Green Growth’

Mr Sinha also called on the premier education institutions to take the lead in environmental protection campaigns. The Lt Governor further added,

The next five years will be crucial. The campus of our premier educational institutions should be transformed into green campuses. We need the cooperation and support of all the elected representatives, youth and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He commended IIM-Jammu’s endeavour to plant 10,000 trees on its campus and made valuable suggestions to make it environment friendly.

He also advised IIM-Jammu to install solar power to reduce its carbon footprint, bio-digester and plantation of medicinal plants on the campus and run similar campaigns in nearby villages with the help of students.

He suggested the constitution of a green campus committee, having an annual green campus plan and setting up a biodiversity park on the campus.

The Lt Governor also directed the higher education department to come out with green rankings of higher educational institutions in the Union Territory.

Also Read: More Than 13.50 Lakh Saplings Planted In Noida In Two Days: Officials

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF)status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.