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Governor concerned over depleting forest cover

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh Governor, Balram Jakhar, on Tuesday expressed concern over the rapidly depleting forest cover and stressed the need for building awareness among the people for the protection of forests.

The Governor was addressing a special gathering after inaugurating the six-day Vindhya Herbal Rashtriya Van Mela-2007 at Bittan Market here.

He said that planting a tree was like performing a yagya. Even the “Shastras” (ancient texts) point out that by protecting trees we ensure the protection of humankind, he added.

The Governor said the country continued to lead on the herbal medicine front but the paradox was that “we are still unable to exploit the full potential of our available resources.”

Dr. Jakhar said ideally the area under forest cover should be 33 per cent of the total geographical area but actually this had got reduced to about 8 per cent. “This is a cause for serious concern”, he said, adding “our existence would be threatened” if the common man fails to come forward to protect the forests. He said “we are now confronted with questions relating to global warming, scanty rainfall and changing weather pattern.”

In order to combat issues linked with nature, the Governor said, there is urgent need for a public awareness campaign.

The National Medicinal Plant Board, Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and State Laghu Vanopaj Vyapar Evam Vikas Sahkari Sangh have jointly organised the Vindhya Herbal Rashtriya Van Mela, which would conclude on December 16.

Of the 279 stalls at the fair, 80 were being run by Laghu Vanopaj Sahakari Samitis from different districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Practitioners of Indian and traditional systems of medicine are also present there to provide free consultation to the people visiting the Van Mela.

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Governor concerned over depleting forest cover

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