CM plants saplings at his residence

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday planted saplings of guava, mango and ‘bohar’ (banyan) at the premises of his official residence here to mark World Environment Day, and said the Covid-19 pandemic had made everyone realize the need for a clean environment.

“Today the entire country is struggling with corona infection… In these circumstances, every person realizes the importance of a clean environment. Chhattisgarh has managed to preserve its forests and is committed to expand it further,” he said.

Baghel appealed to the people to plant at least one sapling in their house or in the surrounding area, and take responsibility for nurturing it.

Any sapling can be planted, whether of fruit, timber wood or flower. This will improve the atmosphere, provide more oxygen and enhance greenery, he said.

Baghel said Chhattisgarh is blessed to have 44% of its area covered by forest.

“Our ancestors had preserved these forests because they had known the importance of these natural resources. Our identity, our culture and our lifestyle are associated with the forest resources,” the Chief Minister said.

“If there were no plants or trees, the temperature would have increased uncontrollably, causing imbalance in the ecosystem, adversely impacting our lives. If the trees would have given WiFi, people would have planted trees like never before but they only provide oxygen. Oxygen is important for our lives.”