Kolkata, July 14 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari underscored the state government’s commitment to maintaining a balance between industrial development and environmental protection.

This statement was made during the ‘Aranya Saptaha’ — Forest Week in West Bengal — which commenced on Tuesday and will run until July 20.

“The Chief Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari inaugurated Aranya Saptah at Banabitan, Salt Lake, launched the Banarath and urged people to plant more trees under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’,” the CMO wrote on its X handle.

While addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister noted that there exists a regulation stipulating that for any project approval, two-thirds of the total project area must be designated for essential infrastructure, with the remaining one-third allocated for plantations. However, he remarked that this regulation is seldom fully adhered to.

He emphasised that the new government is committed to upholding the rule in its true essence. The Chief Minister stated that his government will remain vigilant to ensure that environmental protection is not overlooked in the state’s pursuit of extensive industrial development through attracting significant investments.

“We are living amid concrete jungles now. The condition is pathetic, even in areas where there were thick forests 10 years ago. Even the condition of the forests in the Terai and Dooars regions in West Bengal is so pathetic now. I am a son of the soil. I have witnessed how the forests in the state have been destroyed during the last few years. They have not even spared the trees. Therefore, extensive tree planting is necessary now to protect the environment,” the Chief Minister said, indirectly targeting the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress regime.

Speaking on the occasion, he also said that the state government had set a target to plant a crore saplings throughout the state during the remaining part of the year. “I have specially directed the West Bengal Pollution Control Boards to go for mass distribution of coconut saplings. It is proven that coconut trees help in resisting thunder and lightning,” the Chief Minister said.

He also distributed saplings among the school children on the occasion.

–IANS

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