The target is to plant more than 20,000 peepal trees in Nava Raipur, which will become a 'People City'.

Significant improvements made in online monitoring, fly ash and hazardous waste management for pollution control

Minister Shri Choudhary participated in the program of Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board, honored the outstanding participants.

Raipur, On the occasion of World Environment Day, Finance, Housing and Environment Minister Mr. O.P. Choudhary attended the seminar and award distribution ceremony organized by Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board in the capital Raipur as the chief guest. Secretary of Urban Administration and Development Department Mrs. R. Sangeeta was present as the special guest. In the program, CG Monitoring Portal developed by Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board, a film on biomedical waste management, a short film based on the Board's 25 years of achievements, the Board's new website and a souvenir based on Eco Club activities were launched.

Indian culture is based on conservation and co-existence with nature.

Minister Shri OP Choudhary called for making environmental protection a mass movement, stating that protecting the environment is the shared responsibility of every citizen. He stated that today the entire world is facing challenges such as climate change, rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and environmental imbalance. The root cause of these problems is a development model that is unbalanced with nature. Indian culture has always been based on the preservation of nature and the spirit of coexistence with it. Here, rivers, mountains, trees, and even animals are revered. Our tradition advocates the use of nature, not its exploitation.

Minister Shri Chaudhary said that India was the world's leading economy for thousands of years, but during that period there was no need to discuss issues like environmental crisis, climate change, and sustainable development, because the basis of development was balance with nature. The development model adopted by the world after the Industrial Revolution was based on excessive exploitation of nature, and today all humanity is suffering its adverse consequences. He said that climate change is no longer a challenge of the future, but of the present. Events like abnormal rainfall, increasing heat, drought, and floods are direct evidence of this. Ultimately, human society has to bear the consequences of injustice to nature.

Increased use of technology in environmental protection

Minister Mr. Choudhary stated that the state government has made several significant improvements in environmental monitoring and pollution control. A modern system has been developed for online monitoring of emissions from industrial chimneys, providing the department with immediate information on rising pollution levels and enabling prompt action. He added that a GPS-based tracking system has been implemented for the safe transportation and disposal of fly ash. It has also been ensured that fly ash from other states is not dumped in Chhattisgarh. The state government has also taken strict and ethical decisions regarding the management of hazardous wastes, ensuring that the environment and public health are not adversely affected.

Nava Raipur will become 'People's City'

Mr. Choudhary also expressed concern about current tree planting practices. He said that instead of planting trees merely for the sake of formality, priority should be given to local and environmentally beneficial trees. Peepal, Neem, Mango, and other native trees play a vital role in environmental protection. He explained that while serving as Raipur Collector, he initiated the "People for People" campaign. Now, a target has been set to plant more than 20,000 Peepal trees in Naya Raipur. He said that in the coming years, Naya Raipur will be developed as a "People City," where a Peepal tree will be visible in any direction.