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Singh Khuntia calls for concerted efforts for sustainable use of forest resources

Bhubaneswar, Mar 21 (UNI) Odisha Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia has called for a concerted effort by everyone towards sustainable use of forest resources, reduction of environmental degradation and pollution.
Participating as the chief guest on the occasion of the state-level World Forest Day celebration, Singh Khuntia said the state government has implemented various afforestation schemes with emphasis on forest restoration, reforestation, new forest formation and sustainable forest management.
These include plantation, regeneration of deforested forests, afforestation on hilly areas, roadside afforestation, subsidised afforestation, urban afforestation and coastal afforestation.
He said this year, a total of 1.95 crore saplings have been planted under various schemes, while 2.33 crore saplings have been distributed among the public and various government and private institutions.
Singh Khuntia said as per the latest State of the Forest Report, 2023 by the Forest Survey of India, the forest cover in the State is 52,433.56 square kilometer i.e. 33.67 percent of its geographical area, while tree cover of the State is 6,163.45 square kilometer which is 3.95 percent of geographical area.
The Minister said the total gain in the Forest & Tree Cover is 558.57 square kilometers. The total forest and tree cover area of forest constitutes 37.63 percent of the total Geographical Area of the state.
The state government, the forest minister said, has implemented various afforestation schemes with emphasis on forest restoration, reforestation, new forest formation and sustainable forest management.
These include plantation, regeneration of deforested forests, afforestation in hilly areas, roadside afforestation, subsidised afforestation, and urban afforestation.

Singh Khuntia said forests are a gift of nature to the entire world. Forests are called the lungs of the earth because they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and purify the air and balance the climate.
He said forests are not only essential for the existence of life on earth; they also play a significant role in fighting climate change.
Due to forests, we get pollution-free air, sufficient rainfall, food, medicine and fuel, the minister said, adding that forests being the main source of valuable biodiversity for human society, the future of mankind depends on the growth and prosperity of forests.
Khuntia said that as per the latest State of the Forest Report, 2023 by the Forest Survey of India, the forest cover in the State is 52,433.56 sq.kms which is 33.67 percent of its geographical area, while tree cover of the State is 6,163.45 square kilometer,almost 3.95 percent of geographical area.
The total gain in the Forest & Tree Cover is 558.57 square kilometers. The total forest and tree cover area of forest constitutes 37.63 percent of the total Geographical Area of the state.
Out of this, 1583 hectares of land have also been afforested through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
The minister said under the special scheme “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” of the Government of India, 5.6 crore saplings have been planted in our state so far through various departments.
Apart from this, a special step has been taken by the state government to protect people from natural calamities like lightning by planting 19 lakh palm trees in various forest fringes with the funds received from the special relief fund.
He said the saplings have been planted in all the cities and villages of the state to create a clean and beautiful green environment. The voluntary cooperation of the public is essential along with the ongoing .
The time has come to restore and rehabilitate the degraded forests so that environmental stability, increased productivity and a healthy future can be built,,the Minister said.
He appealed to all the people of the state to plant at least five trees and take care of them.
Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department Satyabrat Sahu said that the 480 km long coastline of our state has now increased to 576 kms.
He said recently, seven lakhs of Olive Ridley turtles have come to Rusikulya mouth and another 7 lakhs to Gahirmatha for laying eggs, which is a matter of pride and honour for the State Forest Department.
The forest ministeraid Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has made arrangements for the development of Similipal through Aama Similipal Yojana, and efforts are on to enlist it as a UNESCO Heritage Site.
The fame of Bhitarkanika, Debrigarh and Deomali will make them world-class tourist destinations, he stated.
Four forest divisions that have done outstanding work in the forest department were awarded with a “Certificate of Appreciation”.
Forty field officers of the rank of forest guard, forest officer and forest range officer were awarded the State Forestry Award 2025 for their outstanding work in the forest department.
A data-based annual compilation titled ‘Highlights of Odisha Forestry Sector 2025’, Google Earth Engine for Forestry Insights from Odisha, Mammals & Birds of Bonai Forest Division and “Traditional Tools of Bonai Region and their Uses” was unveiled by Singh Khuntia.
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