World Environment Day 2026: What target has the government set to make Nava Raipur a ‘People City’? What technical steps is the Chhattisgarh government taking for environmental protection and pollution control? Minister O.P. What role did Chaudhary advise youth and children to play in environmental protection?
Finance, Housing and Environment Minister O.P. at the seminar and award distribution ceremony of Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board organized in the capital Raipur on the occasion of World Environment Day. Chaudhary called for making environmental protection a mass movement. He said that conservation of nature is not just a government responsibility, but the duty of every citizen of the society. The Minister said that the basic spirit of Indian culture has been co-existence with nature. Here rivers, mountains, trees and animals have been given respect. This is why Indian philosophy of life talks about the use of nature, not its exploitation.
Climate change is no longer the future, it is the challenge of the present.
In his address, O.P. Chaudhary said that the world today is facing problems like climate change, rising temperature, irregular rainfall, drought and floods. He said that this crisis is the result of an unbalanced development model, in which nature’s resources were over-exploited. He said that India was once the leading economy of the world, but at that time there were no challenges like environmental crisis because there was a balance between development and nature. Today there is a need to move forward by taking development and environmental protection together.
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Pollution will be monitored through technology
Minister Chaudhary said that the state government has made many important reforms in the field of pollution control and environmental monitoring. A system for online monitoring of emissions from chimneys of industrial units has been developed. With this, the department will be able to get immediate information as soon as the pollution level increases and quick action will be possible. Apart from this, GPS based tracking system has been implemented for transportation and disposal of fly ash. The government is also ensuring that fly ash from other states is not dumped in Chhattisgarh. Strict steps have also been taken regarding the management of hazardous wastes.
Nava Raipur will get the new name ‘People City’
The most talked about announcement of the program was the plan to develop Nava Raipur as ‘People City’. Minister O.P. Chaudhary said that in the coming years, more than 20 thousand Peepal trees will be planted in Nava Raipur. He said that Peepal, Neem, Mango and other native trees play a very important role in environmental protection and should be given priority. Referring to the ‘People for People’ campaign started during his tenure as Collector, he said that now this initiative will be taken forward on a larger scale.
Children and youth will have to be made agents of change
The Minister said that environmental protection does not start only with big campaigns, but with small everyday habits. Saving electricity, less use of plastic, taking care of plants and planting trees of local species can bring a big change in the society. He urged teachers and eco club coordinators to develop environmental sensitivity among children. He believes that permanent change is possible only by changing the thinking of the coming generation.
Big career opportunities for youth in sustainability
Addressing the youth, Minister Chaudhary said that circular economy, waste management, plastic recycling, green technology and sustainable startups are among the biggest opportunities of the future. He said that environmental protection is not only a social responsibility but also an emerging area of employment, innovation and entrepreneurship. The youth should move forward in this direction and look for new opportunities.
Many special events took place in the program
During the program, CG monitoring portal developed by Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board, film based on bio-medical waste management, short film on 25 years achievements of the Board, new website and souvenir of Eco Club activities were inaugurated. Students presented the message of environmental protection by presenting the street play ‘Kissa Lakdi Ka’. Students, schools and eco clubs who excelled in poster competitions and various environmental activities were also honoured.
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