Kharge urges State, Centre to act for environment
Kharge urges stronger forest cover laws, slams poor implementation; calls for 33 per cent green cover as Karnataka stands at just 21 per cent.
PTI
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Kalaburagi, 5 July
Congress President
Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday stressed the need to increase forest cover in
State and across the country, expressing dismay over the "ineffective
implementation of existing laws and programmes" to curb deforestation and
expand green cover.
The AICC chief was
speaking at the Vanamahotsava (tree plantation festival) event here, part of
the 'Hariru Kalyana Karnataka' initiative, under which the State’s forest
department aims to plant and nurture over 25 lakh saplings in the region.
"If you can't
grow trees, you have no right to cut them," Kharge said.
Citing a forest
report, he pointed out that the country’s forest cover averages 25.17 per cent
of its geographical area, which he said is insufficient and should be at least
33 per cent. He noted that State’s forest cover stands at just 21 per cent.
"Even if two
trees are planted in front of every house, it will make a difference," he
said, highlighting that nearly 20 lakh hectares of tree cover have been lost in
the country.
Karnataka Forest
Minister Eshwar Khandre, Kalaburagi district in-charge Minister Priyank Kharge,
and other leaders attended the event.
Kharge urged the
State government to prioritise large-scale afforestation efforts.
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