- India is a rapidly developing economy, and it is continuously strengthening its ecology as well: Modi
- Our forest cover has increased and wetlands are also expanding rapidly: PM
- I think that the role of the Environment Ministry is more as a promoter of the environment rather than as a regulator: PM
- Forest fire fighting mechanism in every state should be technology driven and robust: Modi
- There should be healthy competition as well as collaboration among the states to promote environment measures
NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, SEP 23
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the National Conference of Environment Ministers in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat via video conferencing, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
વડાપ્રધાન શ્રી નરેન્દ્ર મોદીએ સ્ટેચ્યુ ઓફ યુનિટીના સાનિધ્યમાં એકતાનગર ખાતે આયોજિત દેશના વિવિધ રાજ્યોના વન અને પર્યાવરણ મંત્રીશ્રીઓની કોન્ફરન્સનું વર્ચ્યુઅલ ઉદઘાટન કર્યું હતું તથા ઉપસ્થિત મહાનુભાવોને દેશના ‘ગ્રીન ગ્રોથ’ બાબતે પ્રેરણાત્મક સંબોધન કર્યું હતું. pic.twitter.com/XQukBBSF7V
— CMO Gujarat (@CMOGuj) September 23, 2022
Stating that the conference is being held when India is setting new goals for the next 25 years, Modi said that the holistic development of Ekta Nagar is a prime example of an environmental pilgrimage when it comes to forests, water conservation, tourism and tribal brothers and sisters.
માન. પ્રધાનમંત્રીશ્રીના માર્ગદર્શનમાં આજનું ભારત પર્યાવરણ ક્ષેત્રના પડકારોના સમાધાન માટે પૂરી ઊર્જા સાથે કામ કરી રહ્યું છે. રિન્યુએબલ એનર્જીની દિશામાં ભારતની સ્પીડ અને સ્કેલ આખી દુનિયા માટે અનુસરણીય છે. pic.twitter.com/i2wY3WmR9I
— Bhupendra Patel (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Bhupendrapbjp) September 23, 2022
Giving examples of the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and LiFE movement, the Prime Minister said that India is not just taking huge strides in the field of renewable energy, but also guiding other nations of the world.
Modi said, today’s new India is moving ahead with new thinking, new approach and it is a rapidly developing economy, and continuously strengthening its ecology as well.
“Our forest cover has increased and wetlands are also expanding rapidly…Gir lions, tigers, elephants, one-horned rhinos and leopards have increased in numbers over the years. New excitement has returned from the homecoming of Cheetah in Madhya Pradesh a few days ago,” he added.
PM Modi spoke of several important steps to combat pollution and measures to save environment through innovative technologies.
Drawing everyone’s attention to the net zero target for the year 2070, the Prime Minister said that the focus of the country is on green growth and green jobs. He stressed the need to maintain equilibrium with nature. He also highlighted the role of the environment ministries of the states in achieving these goals. The Prime Minister said, “I urge all environment ministers to promote a circular economy as much as possible in the states.” Modi supplemented his statement by mentioning that it will significantly strengthen the Solid Waste Management campaign and will free us from the clutches of single use plastic.
Continuing with the role of the environment ministries, the Prime Minister said that this role should not be seen in a restricted manner. He lamented the fact that for a long time the Environment Ministries got shaped more as a regulator. However, the Prime Minister said, “I think that the role of the Environment Ministry is more as a promoter of the environment rather than as a regulator.” He asked the states to own the measures like Vehicle Scrapping policy, and biofuel measures like ethanol blending and strengthen them on the ground. He asked for healthy competition as well as collaboration among the states to promote these measures.
Throwing light on the groundwater issues, the Prime Minister said that the states with abundant water are also facing water shortages nowadays. The Prime Minister remarked that the challenges and measures like chemical-free natural farming, Amrit Sarovar and water security, are not limited to the individual departments and the environment department will also have to consider these as an equally pressing challenge. “It is critical to work with a participative and integrated approach by the environment ministries. When the vision of the environment ministries changes, I am sure, nature will also be benefitted.”
The two-day conference will have six thematic sessions with topics focusing on LiFE, Combating Climate Change (Updating State Action Plans on Climate Change for Mitigation of Emissions and Adaptation to Climate Impacts); PARIVESH (Single Window System for Integrated Green Clearances); Forestry Management; Prevention and Control of Pollution; Wildlife Management; Plastics and Waste Management.
Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav were those present on the occasion.
