Prime Minister Plants ‘Kadamb’ Sapling on World Environment Day; Javadekar, Virat Kohli Plant Saplings to Mark the Occasion

Prime Minister Plants ‘Kadamb’ Sapling on World Environment Day; Javadekar, Virat Kohli Plant Saplings to Mark the Occasion

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today planted a ‘Kadamb’ sapling (Neolamarckia Cadamba), at the Race Course Road lawns to mark the occasion of World Environment Day.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister exhorted each family to plant trees in the coming monsoon season and to take pride in the number of trees planted by the family, just the same way as they take pride in worldly possessions. The Prime Minister said that living in harmony with nature is the only way to avoid a catastrophic situation on Mother Earth.

The Prime Minister also placed a traditional earthen-pot (matka) along with the sapling, which is a traditional way of conserving water and ensuring that the sapling has regular water supply.

At a separate function at the office premises of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change here today, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Shri Prakash Javadekar planted a ‘Rudraksh’ sapling (Elaecarpus), while Captain of the Indian Test Cricket team, Virat Kohli planted a ‘Kachnar’ sapling (Bauhinia Variegata) at the lawns of Paryavaran Bhawan.

Shri Javadekar also presented environment-related awards on the occasion. The Young Environmentalist of the Year award was given to Ms. Satabti Debadulari, a student of DAV School, Chander Shekharpur, Bhubneshwar in Odisha. The Young Environmentalist Award of the Year is presented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to encourage the generation towards working for the nature and environment.

The E.K Janaki Ammal National Award in Animal Taxonomy for the year 2015 was given to Dr. Waikhom Vishwanath for his contribution in the field of Fish Taxonomy, especially the fish resources of the Himalayan region. The Janaki Ammal National Award in Plant Taxonomy for the year 2015 was given to Dr. Dalip Kumar Upreti for his work over the last three decades, leading to the establishment of more than 100 new species of lichen to the world and more than 200 species as new records to the lichen flora of India. The Janaki Ammal National Award in Microbial Taxonomy for the year 2015 was conferred on Dr.Subrata K.Das, an acclaimed environmental microbiologist.

Two books titled Plant Discoveries brought out by the Botanical Survey of India and Animal Discoveries brought out by the Zoological Survey of India were also released on the occasion.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and NOIDA for the development of Botanic Garden of Indian Republic (BGIR) in NOIDA.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar reiterated that the mandate of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is to strike a balance between the five elements of nature. He also said that the Ministry’s mission is directed towards Clean Water, Clear Air, Clean Energy, Clean Environment and More Green. The Minister emphasized that to achieve this, a people’s movement and the participation of people is needed.

Addressing the gathering, Virat Kohli urged the youth of the nation to take the initiative of planting trees seriously, as it is the youth who will take the nation forward in every walk of life. Expressing his commitment to plant trees, he said that the people must collectively and individually take the initiative to plant trees.

Minister of State, Zoological Gardens in Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Shiv Pratap Yadav said that the laying the foundation of Botanical Garden in NOIDA on the occasion of World Environment Day will send out a message throughout the nation. He said that the Botanical Garden would also act as a centre for botanical research scholars to carry out studies on rare species of plants. The Uttar Pradesh Minister also said that Jai Udyan be added to the slogan of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan.

Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ashok Lavasa expressed the hope that just like the large gathering that has assembled on the occasion of World Environment Day, a large number of trees would be planted throughout the country.

Earlier, artists from All India Radio presented a “Prakriti Vandana’ as a tribute to the nature, penned by Smt. Madhu Pant, former director of Bal Bhawan.

Additional Secretary in Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Hem Pande gave the welcome address. Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Shashi Shekhar and DG, Forest, Shri S.S Garbyal were also present on the occasion. Dr. M.M Kutty, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change delivered the Vote of Thanks.