- Chhattisgarh is creating a new identity in the field of green economy: Chief Minister
Chhattisgarh is the power engine of the country’s economy and now our state is continuously strengthening its role in the field of green economy as well. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said this while addressing the second Chhattisgarh Green Summit organized in the auditorium of Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University in the capital Raipur today.
Addressing the event, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the Chhattisgarh Green Conference’s utility is further enhanced by its unifying platform for policymakers, industry, educational institutions, researchers, and environmentalists to discuss important topics. He added that the climate crisis is constantly increasing, making it essential that we not only contemplate environmental protection measures but also put them into practice.
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that the double-engine government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has always advocated for development with heritage. An environmentally friendly lifestyle is our tradition dating back thousands of years, and the government is continuously taking concrete steps at the policy level to protect it.
Chief Minister Shri Sai noted that Chhattisgarh is a major steel production hub in the country, and innovations like green steel are being adopted to reduce the carbon footprint in this sector. The Chief Minister stated that according to the Indian Forest Survey Report 2023, Chhattisgarh has ranked first in the country in terms of combined forest and tree cover growth. He stated that this achievement is a result of the state government’s policies, as well as the awareness and environmental responsibility of the people of the state.
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that consumers are being transformed into energy providers through the Solar Rooftop Scheme in the state, and that significant investment opportunities are emerging in sectors such as bio-ethanol. He added that the state government is working to increase public sensitivity to environmental protection through campaigns such as “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.”
The Chief Minister said that in Indian culture, the earth is considered a mother, and therefore, it is our responsibility to take care of the environment and the health of the earth when using resources. Citing an example, he said that the state government has implemented an e-office system in all departments, which has saved time and resources, as well as reduced paper use.
He said that Chhattisgarh is a tribal-dominated state, with approximately 44 percent of its area covered by forests. Mr. Sai explained that trees in the forest region are worshipped as Sarna (deities), and Sarna is also recorded as a place of worship in revenue records. He said that the spirit of connection with nature and its conservation can easily be learned from tribal society.
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that the state’s new industrial policy places special emphasis on green initiatives and that industries working in this direction are being offered special concessions. From the platform of the Chhattisgarh Green Summit, he urged the people of the state to come forward to protect the environment and take the initiative themselves.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Shri Sai released the book “Abstract” based on the compilation of research presented in the conference, “Highlights of the Summit” based on the main discussions of the conference and the book “Katha Kanthli” based on tribal stories and traditions.
On this occasion, Lokayukta of Meghalaya Shri C P Mark, Vice Chancellor of Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University Dr Sachchidanand Shukla, PCCF Shri V Srinivas Rao, Chairman of Vibgyor Foundation Shri Shankhdeep Chaudhary, subject experts, professors, intellectuals, scholars and a large number of students were present.