India facing shortfall in per-capita green cover: Giriraj Singh on World Environment Day
New Delhi, June 5
With NDA leaders across the country undertaking tree plantation drives on World Environment Day under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh cautioned that the country currently faces an "eleven per cent shortfall" in per-capita green cover.
Speaking to reporters, Singh said: "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently promoted the message of 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'. We are currently facing an 11 per cent shortfall in the per-capita green cover (required for environmental sustainability)."
"Ideally, 0.05 hectares (per hectare) of land should be covered with trees, but we are still below that target," he added.
He reminded that Prime Minister Modi has previously spoken about water conservation through the mention of 'Mission Amrit Sarovar'.
Further, Singh flagged the issue of carbon emissions causing environmental damage. "PM Modi is stressing on the use of renewable energy through initiatives like 'PM Surya'."
"Under social forestry, we are urging people to plant 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'," he added.
Meanwhile, the Union Minister, who visited a market in Delhi's Vasant Kunj area, said: "The government allotted this land to me for the promotion of artisans. We are now providing stalls to artisans here."
"We also showcase the products of award-winning artisans as well as other skilled craftsmen, and the proceeds from the sales are transferred directly to their bank accounts," he added.
Singh asserted that his goal is to create such an atmosphere in the country where even the children of the artisans are able to take up the skill and utilise technology.
"For marketing of their crafts, PM Modi has connected (them to) foreign countries through e-marketing." Singh also mentioned his ministry's Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), which facilitates artisans to sell their products to US-based clients through trade fairs, global pavilions and even e-marketing.
"Pictures of the artisans' products are taken here and sold abroad through e-marketing," he said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see Giriraj Singh ji emphasizing green cover and also supporting artisans. The direct bank transfer for artisan products is a smart move - cuts out middlemen. But we need concrete data on how many trees have actually survived from past drives, not just how many were planted. Jab tak ped bade nahi hote, tab tak khushi nahi honi chahiye.
All these campaigns are good but let's not forget the urban reality - in cities like Delhi, trees are being cut for flyovers and metro projects. We need proper urban forestry laws, not just symbolic planting drives. Also, 0.05 hectares per person target seems too low for a country of 1.4 billion. We need to aim higher.
Really appreciate the focus on artisans too! My village has many traditional craftsmen who struggle with marketing. If the government can actually connect them to international buyers through e-marketing, that's a win-win - environment and economy. Bas implementation mein dikkat na ho.
The carbon emission part is key - India needs to transition faster to renewable energy. PM Surya Yojana is good for solar but we need more wind and hydro too. Also, let's be honest - tree plantation drives are great but they can't compensate for our massive coal dependency. Need systemic change.
World Environment Day and the minister talks about both trees AND artisans - that's holistic thinking 👏. The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign connects environmental duty with family values. But I wish they'd also address industrial pollution in rivers and air quality in tier
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.