17-10-2021:Governor said that the youth should play the role of environment warriors.
Rajbhawan, Dehradun, 17 November, 2021
Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd) said that in the challenging time of climate change and global warming, the whole world should take inspiration from the Chipko movement of Uttarakhand. The Chipko movement of the state for saving trees and the role of hill women in it will always be inspiring. The eco-friendly culture and traditions of Devbhoomi are exemplary for the whole world. The Governor said that community based management will have to be promoted to increase the forest land area. Mechanisms have to be prepared for the protection of water and forests. He said that if people do not become aware in time, then everyone will have to collectively suffer the consequences of insulting the environment. Governor Lt Gen Gurmit (Retd) said that Uttarakhand is providing important environmental services to the country. The vast forest area of the state, the Ganges and Yamuna rivers are its invaluable heritage. Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh was addressing the International Water Security and Climate Change Conference 2021 organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India through video conferencing on Wednesday.
Addressing the international conference, Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd) said that there is a need for concrete plans and serious efforts to revive the water sources and lakes of the Himalayas. The Governor said that the youth should play the role of environment warriors. The campaign of tree plantation and water conservation will have to be made a mass campaign. Students should be encouraged to study and research environmental subjects. He said that there is no short term solution to avoid climate change, water crisis and environmental crisis. Collective participation of government, administration, social and non-governmental organizations, social workers, environmentalists, scientists, local people and individual efforts is necessary in this direction. Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd) said that maintaining the level of water quality of rivers has also become a big challenge. We also have to take care of the health of the water system. Water management infrastructure needs to be developed. The Governor also expressed concern over the ill-effects of global warming on Himalayan glaciers. He said that the time has come for serious efforts for the protection of Himalayan glaciers and mountain ecosystem. Continuous monitoring of the health of the ecosystem is essential. The balance between the Himalayas, river systems and urbanization is very important.
It is worth mentioning that the three-day “International Water Security and Climate Change Conference 2021 2021” was organized by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, and Global Counter Terrorism Council from 15 to 17 November 2021. GCTC Chairman Dr. AB Pandya, former Foreign Secretary Dr. Kanwal Sibal, former Defense Secretary Dr. Shekhar Dutt, eminent environmental experts and officials participated in the conference.
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