Chief Minister Kamal Nath said that Madhya Pradesh is known not only in the country but in world for its forests, tigers and biodiversity. Nath was addressing the function organised on the occasion of the ‘International Tiger Day’ at Minto Hall on Monday.
He further mentioned that the credit for saving forests and tigers in our country goes to the Former Prime Minister Late Indira Gandhi. Despite opposition, she got the Forest Act passed in the Lok Sabha in 1980 which was then described as anti development. Nath said that the Act not only conserved bio-diversity of our country but strengthened it too.
Kamal Nath asserted that India is the richest country in the world in terms of bio-diversity. Along with the bio-diversity, several other decisions have been taken that includes tiger conservation. Owing to this only, our country tops in population of tigers in the world. Tigers are heart of our eco-system. This is a sole creature, which has played a significant role in maintaining environmental balance in our country.
The Chief Minister further stated that being a Union Minister for Forest, he provided special help for conservation of forests and tigers of Madhya Pradesh. As a consequence, Pench, Sanjay and Bandhavgarh were developed in the form of national parks. Shri Nath said that not only in our country but our state tops in the world in terms of tiger population.
Nath mentioned that society’s participation is must in environment conservation. He said that we all have to come forward together to protect this wealth of our state. He congratulated all the people engaged in protection of forests and wildlife of the state. He further said that honour bestowed on our state is a result of important role played by our forest employees.
Besides, Nath congratulated 32,000 children of the state for creating artworks on tiger. He said that it is essential to make children aware to protect wildlife. On this occasion, Nath released a booklet ‘Baghon ki Kahani-Munna ki Zubaani’, logo of Sanjay Tiger Reserve and artworks cretaed by the children. He also inaugurated ‘Kingdom of Tigers’ photo exhibition, in which photos of different postures of tigers have been showcased.
Minister for Forest Umang Singhar proposed the vote of thanks. The Chief Secretary SR Mohanty, Additional Chief Secretary Forest KK Singh, Chief Conservator of Forest along with forest and wildlife admirers in large number were present on the occasion.
