Stressing on his commitment to increase the forest cover percentage of the state from its existing 82 to 85 per cent and above Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today took part in the 'festival of trees' plantation programme organised by the environment and forest department here.
He along with a host of parliamentary secretaries including C T Mein, Phurpa Tsering, former APCS chairman Rinchin Dorjee, Chief Councillor of Itanagar Municipal Council Kipa Kaku, PCCF, DC capital, senior officers from the environment and forest departments and students from Kingcup school planted trees in the Gompa premises to mark the occasion.
Complementing the department of forest and the people of Arunachal Pradesh for preserving the rich forests, which had convinced the 14th Finance Commission to recommend for higher grants for the state from the current year, Tuki appealed all sections of the society to join hands to increase the forest cover.
Tuki reiterated for setting up of Green Corps (Green Army) yet again in every school which was started in the year 2000-2001, but somehow got discontinued and directed the department to work out modalities in coordination with the department of education.
The Green Corps comprised of students who were directly involved in environment protection and organised plantation programmes in their respective areas.
While directing the department of education to incorporate environment, forest and wild life protection in the school syllabus, Tuki said "We have around 1.5 lakh students in the state and if each student plants a tree a month, imagine how many trees can be planted the whole year."
He appealed the young minds to adopt plantation of tree as a hobby and plant economically viable trees which could fetch them good returns when they grow up.
Dwelling at length over tea, rubber and spices revolution taking shape in the state, Tuki pinned hope that these viable sectors which were gradually gaining importance, was expected to change the face of the state's economy in the days to come.
Concerned over rapid urbanisation in the twin capital cities which has resulted in massive destruction of forests, Tuki appealed the Itanagar Municipal Council (IMC) to chalk out a strategy to contain it.
He asked them to prepare a realistic plan to plant more trees in and around the city with afforestation programmes.
"Planting of trees in the hills will provide us water and protect us from soil erosion, which will check landslides while the city will look green if we materialise plantations in town area," Tuki said.
He asked the department of environment and forest to help the IMC with funds for the purpose.
The Chief Minister further appealed the NGOs, media, panchayat leaders and environmentalists to create awareness on environment protection through all possible means.
