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Centre to develop 200 'urban forests' across country in the next 5 years

Sentinel Digital Desk

NEW DELHI: On the occasion of the World Environment Day on Friday, the Central government announced the implementation of 'Nagar Van' scheme to develop 200 Urban Forests across the country in the next five years.

World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 every year. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change celebrates the day by focusing on the theme declared by the United Nation's Environment Programme and organizes several events.

Stressing this year's focus on Biodiversity, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said, "India has eight per cent of world's biodiversity, despite having many constraint like only 2.5 per cent of the world's landmass, has to carry 16 per cent of human as well as cattle population and having only four per cent of freshwater sources."

He said that the mega biodiversity that India has is the result of the Indian ethos which is in sync with the nature.

Highlighting the Indian culture, Javadekar said that India is the only country where trees, animals, birds, and reptiles are worshipped. "This is the respect Indian society places for the environment. With this activity of creating urban forest we will also create additional carbon sink," said the Union Minister.

Also present on the occasion was Union Minister of State Babul Supriyo who emphasized tree plantation and soil moisture conservation and said that it works as a core strategy for biodiversity conservation in the country.

He emphasized that to address the problems of soil degradation, siltation and reduced water flow in the river basins and everyone has to work collectively. (IANS)