The President of the Congress and the leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge spoke on Saturday at a public meeting in Kalaburagag. | Photo credit
The chairman of the Congress Committee on the Mallikarjun Congress M. Kharge, who expresses displeasure over the declining forest cover in India, said that subsequent state governments were unable to protect the forest area by effectively enforcing forest protection laws.
After the opening of the programs “Hasira Path” and “Hasira Hejje-Kalaburagi” within the Vanamahotsava-2025, organized forest departments, rural development and “Hasi Hejjelaburagi”, the development of cities and district administration.
Although the country has lost 20 Lakh hectares of forest over the last ten years, state governments are not in implementing the laws to protect forest land, Mr. Kharge said.
“Our former prime minister Indira Gandhi introduced the 1980 forest forest law and the Lesni Rights Act was further introduced during Mohan Singh, and the recently modified government enacted the forest change Act (preservation), 2023, but no states in the country fully in accordance with forest laws.
The expression of concerns about growing death due to cardiac arrest, especially among the leader of young people, said that clean air, water and healthy environment are essential for good health.
Currently, the Indian forest and tree coverage is 25.17 % of the Earth’s geographical area, while the Karnataka forest cover is 21.21 % of its overall geographical area. At least 33% of the forest cover is necessary to ensure the appropriate oxygen supply and the availability of water and support the environment of the environment.
Mr. Kharge stressed that it was necessary to increase the forest cover to combat climate change and global warming, and suggested that the state government develop forests near stagnant waters of reservoirs and dams.
The leader called on the public to join their hands with the government while expanding the green cover by growing seedlings to their homes, schools and on the borders of agricultural areas. Simply plantings of seedlings are not a solution that ensures that the survival of planted trees is equally important, he said.
The aim of the state government is to plant three Crore seedlings this year, of which 2.5 crore seedlings survive, it will be very beneficial, Mr. Kharge said.
Mr Kharge also distributed seedlings to students on this occasion.
Minister for Forest and Environment Eshwar B. Khandre and Minister for Development of Rural and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge; MEPs, legislators, higher officials of the forest department, Department of RDPR and urban development were present.
Published – 5 July 2025 06:56 IS IS
