Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Sing Chouhan said that while there is a need protect some forests and biodiversity reserves, it is not possible to scrap all development projects to save them. He spoke about the controversial Ken-Betwa river connecting project.
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We need to find a balance between the environment and development. This doesn’t mean that we have to stop all development projects. If a dam must be built and a forest area has been submerged, it is impossible to refuse to accept the dam project. For example, the decision to join Ken River and Betwa rivers is being made. This will make the Bundelkhand region look better, but it will also mean that the forest area will be submerged. Chouhan explained that, depending on how large the forest area will be submerged to, at least twice as much area will be revitalized with biodiversity rich plantsations on the closing day for the two-day HT Environment Conclave.
Prakriti ka dohan karo, dohankaro (harness natural resource, don’t exploit them). He added that we are trying to achieve a balanced through plantations.
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The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister NarendraModi, approved the interlinking the Ken river in Madhya Pradesh with the Betwa River in Uttar Pradesh on December 8. This was to irrigate Bundelkhand, a drought-prone area, which is spread across both states. The project will bring irrigation benefits to 9.08 million hectares of agricultural land, drinking waters to 62 lakh people, and 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW solar power, Nirmala Sitharaman, finance minister, had stated during her Budget speech on February 1.
The total project cost has been calculated at 44,605 million and will be completed over eight years. The original idea was floated during the tenure of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former prime minister.
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Environmentalists fear that the project could result in the submergence or loss of a significant portion of Panna Tiger Reserve. This core area is home to more 52 tigers and endangered species of vultures like the white-rumped. The project has been questioned by several committees, including one appointed by the Supreme Court.
Chouhan spoke about the river project and also the increasing incidence of extreme rainfall in central India. Not only in Madhya Pradesh are we facing severe climate change in Sheopur Shivpur globally. Last year we experienced extreme rainfall. He said that we never thought such heavy rains would cause flooding.
According to the chief minister, the state will focus on increasing plantations while maintaining the forest cover in order to tackle the crisis. We are trying to preserve and increase our forest cover. According to the latest Forest Survey of India analysis, Madhya Pradesh’s green area has increased. He also said that plantations are being prioritized to ensure that they have the scale of a large-scale public movement.
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We are trying to plant eight hundred thousand saplings in Madhya Pradesh with the help of the citizens. Each person should plant at most one tree per year in the state. Since over a year, I’ve been planting at most one sapling per day. Ankur is a program that allows people to celebrate special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and more by planting a sapling. This scheme has helped us to plant six lakh saplings in six months, he said.
However, the chief minister pointed out that during extreme rainfall, the state saw record paddy and wheat production. We are now the number one wheat producer in the world, ahead even of Punjab. We have distributed over 50,000 items under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhajana scheme. 7,618 crore for crop losses and crop failure. He stated that when there is loss, we compensate for infrastructure damage and crop failure.
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Chouhan stated that renewable energy farms are being built in Agar, Shajapur and Morena. We are installing solar panels on Omkareshwar dam that will prevent water from evaporating, and generate 550 MW of solar energy, he stated. He also said that the third area of state focus is to promote sustainable and organic agriculture.
