Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged the people of the state to plant saplings, save electricity, save water, use gau-kashtha in place of wood, adopt natural farming, contribute for gau-grass, not burn stubble and protect environment and administered them pledge to extend all possible cooperation with the state government for protection of environment.
Chouhan said Govardhan Puja is the worship of environment and nature. CM Chouhan was addressing a state level programme organised at Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre Bhopal to express gratitude towards nature on Govardhan Puja.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that it is necessary to adopt natural farming to stop the devastation of the fields due to the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. All farmer brothers should adopt natural farming in a part of their respective agricultural land.
He said Gross Environmental Product will also be included in the calculation of GDP in Madhya Pradesh. Natural resources, forests and biodiversity will also be included in the GDP.
Chouhan said the state government would make all possible efforts for environmental protection. Preserving natural and cultural heritage is the need of the hour.
Govardhan Puja is not a Karmkand (ritual) but a campaign for the protection of nature, he said.
Let the society and the government together take a pledge to save the earth, he said.
Chief Minister Chouhan along with his wife Sadhna Singh worshipped the Govardhan Parikrama Parvat built in the convention centre premises according to the rituals.
Chief Minister Chouhan wished for happiness, prosperity and affluence of the people of the state. The programme was inaugurated by lighting the lamp.
A short film focused on environmental protection was also screened. CM Chouhan launched the Green City Index for ranking in 16 municipal corporations of the state on the parameters of urban parks, urban forest areas, green transport, air quality and solar energy with a single click.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that due to the imbalance of nature, the existence of human beings will be threatened. Our culture gives the message of utilization of nature, not exploitation.
At every point in Indian culture, care has been taken to worship trees and put into practice the principle of live and let live. Farmers used to leave space in their villages in the form of beeds for the purpose of providing grass for fodder for animals, he said.
Today the same concept is being implemented in the form of Green Belt. The feeling of goodwill for the living beings and welfare of the world has been present in the Indian tradition for years he said.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that it is necessary for the coming generations to worry about the earth at present. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the programme Life for Environment. Madhya Pradesh is committed to fulfill their resolutions.
To save the earth, it is necessary to bring changes in the lifestyle. We have to make it a habit to save water, save electricity, plant saplings on our birthdays, wedding anniversaries and other auspicious occasions in our lives, he said.
He said a balance is necessary between development and environmental protection. Ideas are also being invited from the general public regarding environmental protection. Society and government will work together in these activities. Activities are being carried out in the state to encourage the sources of renewable energy for “Green Energy-Clean Energy”.
Chief Minister Chouhan said the society along with the government will have to bear the responsibility of maintaining the cow lineage. Oxen are not being used due to mechanization. Cows that are not capable of producing milk are also abandoned.
He said there are more than 1 crore 87 lakh cows in the state. A large number of cow progeny are on the roads. The society and the government have to come forward jointly for their management.
He said efforts are being made in the state to produce CNG from cow dung. Along with this, there are other uses of gau-mutra and cow dung, including these, work will be done in the direction of making the gaushalas multi-dimensional and making them self-sufficient. Places will be earmarked for plantation in cities and villages.
He said these places will be looked after by the Panchayats and the urban bodies. This place will also be safe for cows.
Environment Minister Hardeep Singh Dang, Medical Education Minister Shri Vishwas Sarang, International Society for Krishna Consciousness ISKCON Governing Body Commissioner Gaurang Das were especially present.
All the districts and development blocks virtually participated in this programme organised by Environmental Planning and Coordination Organisation (EPCO) and Madhya Pradesh Jan Abhiyan Parishad.
The people also joined the programme from various TV channels and social media platforms. The participants of Ankur Abhiyan and members of Prasphutan Samitis in village panchayats participated in the programme. All the Gaushalas, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Agricultural Training Centres, Krishi Upaj Mandis, NABARD’s FPOs, cooperative societies, agricultural colleges and universities virtually participated in the state level programme of Govardhan Puja.
