Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s one third areas under forest cover. During last 15 years it has been increased substantially. During last two years, forest cover has been increased by 885 square kilometer as said by a highly placed state government official.
As guest of honors in a conferences on ‘climate change initiatives’ organized by Indian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) in association with Odisha State Pollution Control Board, Mr. Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Additional chief secretary, Odisha said that, “During last 15-20 years, we had diverted around 50,000 acres of forest for mines and industrial activities. Still we manage to increase the green cover of the state. Odisha is one of the greenest states of the country.”
Reminding the commitment laid down in Paris Accord of climate change, he urges industrial houses to be more responsible and also very careful when they used the soil, water and river of the state. Odisha has a special climate change action plan and every department allotted some percent of budget to mitigate the adverse effect of climate change. He told the industrial houses to be more responsible towards environment and bio-diversity of the state.
He also said that, “International Solar Alliance set a target that 40% of power used will be from renewable energy sources. Initiatives have been taken to achieve this target. Government will provide subsidy for solar and renewable energy project. Coal Cess fund will be used for this kind subsidy. Every year government collected on an average of 10-15,000 crore as Coal Cess.”
Inaugurating the conference, Steel and Mines minister of Odisha Mr. Praffula Kumar Mallick said that, “Many forestation schemes have been implemented to increase the forest cover in the state. Recently Mahanadi Mission also has been launched for massive plantation programme. He urges Industry leaders and scientist to come up with innovative and environmental friendly ideas to tackle the adverse impact of climate change.”
Dr D K Behera, senior environmental scientist of Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) highlighted the magnitude of the climate change project in India as well as International level.
In his welcome address Rajiv Singh, Director General, Indian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) said that, “The Indian Government has portrayed its seriousness to ensure a decarbonized economy by 2030. The primary strategy is to reduce fossil fuel dependency of the economy. By 2030, the country aims to increase Renewable Energy (RE)-based electricity contribution to 40%, an ambitious target. The other action plan includes a steep increase in energy efficiency for the economy in the next two decades. This would require US$ 2.5 trillion by 2030, to be sourced from myriad stakeholders, with India Inc. believed to be playing a major role.”
Other dignitaries preset at the conference were Vice president of Tata Steel Gopalpur project and Managing Director of Tata Steel SEZ Mr. Arun Mishra and Vice Chairman of CCC, Odisha expert committee Mr. M C Thomas.
