DIPR
Imphal, Aug. 23,
The government of India has set a target of 33 percent tree cover including forests and non-forest areas in the country by 2020, said Trade, Commerce and Industries Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh. The Minister was speaking as the chief guest at a Van Mahotsov Festival at Tera Urak Industrial Estate, Bishnupur, yesterday, which was organised by the Tera Urak Industrial Estate Entrepreneurs’ Association (TUIEA), Bishnupur.
Biswajit along with Manipur State Pollution Control Board Chairman Laishram Radhakishore Singh, Manipur Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. Chairman Dr. Radheshyam Yumnam and Trade, Commerce and Industries Director C. Arthur W also planted tree saplings inside the Industrial Estate campus as part of the festival.
Further in his speech, Biswajit highlighted the importance of planting trees to put a check on the environmental imbalances and said trees should not be planted only on a specific date or day but should be planted whenever possible.
He said that it is also important to look after the trees and further appealed to the locals and the organisers to ensure that the tree saplings planted today are protected.
The festival will help in creating awareness among the masses about the importance of tree plantation, he added.
He lauded the organisers of the festival and said encouraging tree plantation in such an industrial estate is a welcomed act as the trees will help in balancing the pollutants emitted from the industrial units.
Lauding the media for their role as the mediator between the government and the public, Biswajit who is also the Information and Public Relations Minister, said the media should also maintain a balance in their reporting to give a clear information to the general public.
Officials and staffs of Trade, Commerce and Industries and Forest departments also attended the function.
