Ranchi: Expressing concern over rapid climate change and recurring climate-related calamities, chief minister Hemant Soren on Friday said balancing development with environmental conservation is the only path to a sustainable future.Soren, who attended the 77th state-level Van Mahotsav at Harivansh Tana Bhagat Indoor Stadium in Khelgaon, said, “Climate change is no longer just an environmental issue. The effects are now visible on agriculture, water resources, biodiversity and the overall development process. Unplanned developments, indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources, industrialisation, mining and urbanisation have accelerated environmental degradation.”Expressing concern over recurring erratic weather patterns, Soren said the state and the country are witnessing more instances of irregular rainfall, cloudbursts, excessive rain, prolonged droughts, heat waves and lightning strikes.“These extreme weather events are affecting farming, livelihoods and water availability, particularly in rural areas, while also causing significant loss of life, crops, livestock and infrastructure. We must strengthen afforestation, water conservation and sustainable use of natural resources through public participation to minimise the ill-effects of climate change,” CM further said.Calling for public participation, Soren urged people to plant at least one sapling and ensure its survival. “Planting a tree is not enough. It must be protected and nurtured until it is full-grown. I would personally review the condition of plantations carried out under govt campaigns and honour individuals, institutions and communities making significant contributions to environmental conservation,” he said.The CM emphasised planting indigenous, fruit-bearing, medicinal, shade-giving and wildlife-friendly tree species suited to local ecological conditions to strengthen biodiversity and improve groundwater recharge, soil fertility, air quality and natural habitats.Soren felicitated 20 Van Mitras and representatives of forest management committees, selected from various forest divisions across the state, for their outstanding contributions to forest conservation, afforestation, biodiversity protection and community forest management during the programme.
