MINISTER CLAIMS RISE IN UP FOREST COVER

AGRA : Forest, environment and climate change minister Dara Singh Chauhan said on Sunday that the forest cover in Uttar Pradesh had increased from 6.7% in 2017 to 9.12 % now. According to him, location of six Ramsar sites in Uttar Pradesh was the outcome of constitution of Wetland Authority on January 11, 2018.

The minister was here on Sunday to inaugurate the Uttar Pradesh Bird Festival – 2020 at Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary at Keetham. He was accompanied by minister of state for forest, environment and climate change Anil Sharma and also inaugurated a couple of exhibitions.

“Prime Minister has taken keen interest in restoring clean water in the Ganga. The state government too has taken several initiatives and the outcome is increase in forest cover from 6.7 % in 2017 to 9.12 % at present. During plantation drives, 22 crore saplings were planted ,” he said.

“Migratory birds look for good wetlands and so projects to purify rivers like ‘Namami Gange’ and improve environmental conditions are showing positive effects.

The state government took up Ganga Yatra successfully and now we are focusing on improving underground water level,” said Chauhan. Minister of state Anil Sharma expressed concern over several avian species getting extinct and called for public participation in preserving nature. The two ministers released a book and inaugurated an art and a photo exhibition.