Global warming is not a fairy tale but a fearsome reality, Benoy Viswom, Minister for Forests, has said. He was inaugurating the ambitious “Haritha Muttam Haritha Veethi” initiative of the Kollam City Corporation here on Sunday.
Quoting scientific studies, Mr. Viswom said that if the temperature of the earth rose by another 3 degrees Celsius, man would meet the fate of the dinosaurs. Installation of air-conditioners will not save the human kind. It was high time we understood that the destruction of life-sustaining environment was suicidal, he said.
He said Copenhagen failed because countries responsible for huge emission of carbon dioxide did not want restrictions imposed on them. While development was the right of each society, it should not be carried out by crushing nature and destroying natural resources.
The Minister said the Forest Department exiled all foreign trees from its collection of saplings for social forestry initiatives. Saplings of 25 native species were being distributed ever since the LDF government came to power. He said that the “Ente Maram” programme launched by the government in schools was a big success. Through the programme, school students of the State became a model for the entire country.
“More than 80 per cent of the saplings distributed under the “Ente Maram” programme are growing into trees. The credit for that goes to the school children of the State. Under the World Environment Day programme for this year, the government is distributing 70 lakh saplings from June 5 to 10,” he added.
The Minister wanted all concerned to ensure that the saplings planted with munch pomp and show were not orphaned. “All that a sapling needs is about three months of care during the summer season. Afterwards, the young tree knows to how take care of itself.” He used the opportunity to congratulate the entire staff of the Department for their energetic support to social forestry initiatives and other projects.
Mr. Viswom said that “Haritha Muttam Haritha Veethi” has a very noble aim. But it could be achieved only if its message entered the hearts of the people. In fact, every ward should have its own tree planting programme with the involvement of all. He said that more than 1.50 crore saplings were planted in the State during the past four years.
Mayor V. Rajendrababu presided over the function. Writer Kakkanadan, former editor of Janayugom Thengamam Balakrishnan, managing editor of Kerala Shabdam B.A. Rajakrishnan and Chief Conservator of Forests, D.K. Varma spoke.
