Industries in Chhattisgarh were instructed to complete the tree plantation target by July 31. A target was set to make Nava Raipur a people city and plant 30 lakh saplings.
Raipur. Housing and Environment Minister O.P. was at Babylon Capital in Raipur to review the progress of the tree plantation campaign being carried out by the industrial units in the state during Monsoon-2026. A high level meeting was organized under the chairmanship of Chaudhary. Officials of Housing and Environment Department and Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board along with senior representatives of large and medium industrial units of the state participated in the meeting.
Industrial development and environmental protection will go together: O.P. Chowdhary
Addressing the meeting, Minister O.P. Choudhary said that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai is working rapidly towards building a developed Chhattisgarh as per the goal of Developed India-2047. He said that a favorable environment is being created to promote investment in the state, but there will be no compromise with environmental standards. Development of industries and environmental protection both complement each other and should get equal priority.
Plant conservation is the biggest priority, not tree plantation.
Minister Choudhary said that the tree plantation campaign should not be limited only to completing the prescribed number. The most important thing is that the planted plants should survive for a long time. He appealed to the industries to plant healthy plants in the right season, at the right place and ensure their regular irrigation and care. He stressed on giving priority to local and long-lived species like Peepal, Neem, Shirish, Mango and Jackfruit. He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has mentioned modern techniques like Miyawaki method in the program ‘Mann Ki Baat’. If industries adopt these technologies then the green area in the state can be increased rapidly.
Complete tree plantation target by 31st July, ensure quality plantation by 15th August
The Minister directed all industrial units to develop maximum green areas in and around their premises. He said that the target of tree plantation should be achieved by July 31, while quality plantation should be ensured by August 15. The entire campaign will be monitored online and it will be mandatory for all industries to enter information timely on the portal.
Run extensive tree plantation campaign through CSR also
Minister Chaudhary said that environmental protection is not only a legal responsibility but also a moral responsibility towards the society and future generations. He urged the industries to undertake large-scale tree plantation drives through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds and ensure maximum participation of the common people.
Nava Raipur will become ‘Peepal City’, more than one lakh Peepal saplings will be planted in five years
The Minister informed that a special campaign is being run to develop Nava Raipur as a “People City”. He said that apart from about 70 thousand saplings already planted, a target has been set to plant more than one lakh Peepal saplings in the next five years.
Sendh Lake will be expanded, Bird Island will be developed using Miyawaki method
It was informed in the meeting that the work of deepening and beautification of the famous Sendh Lake of Nava Raipur has started. On completion of this project, approximately 12 lakh cubic meter additional water storage capacity will be developed in the lake and its area will also increase. About 25 thousand saplings have been planted using Miyawaki method on an island of about three acres located in the middle of the lake, where a natural bird island (eco hub) is being developed for migratory birds.
This year 22 lakh saplings have been planted, the target is expected to reach more than 30 lakh.
Ankit Anand, Secretary of Housing and Environment Department and Chairman of Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board, said that many reforms have been made in the direction of environmental protection in the last one year. He said that so far this year, about 22 lakh saplings have been planted, which is about 90 percent of the set target. He clarified that this time only the data recorded on the portal will be considered final. This year, a target of planting 25 lakh trees has been set, which can be increased to more than 30 lakh with the cooperation of industries.
Online monitoring of more than 320 industries, special emphasis on pollution control
Ankit Anand said that more than 320 industries in the state are being continuously monitored through online continuous emission monitoring system. He said that in the initial phase, notices have been issued to the industries violating the rules. However, the objective of the Board is not to punish, but to motivate industries to follow environmental standards and reduce pollution. He laid special emphasis on maximum use of recycled water and planting of native species.
Instructions to plant 2,500 saplings in every hectare and develop 33% green area
Raju Agasimani, member secretary, Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board, directed the industries to plant at least 2,500 saplings on every hectare of land and develop dense green belts through three-layer plantation. He said that all industrial units will have to develop green area in at least 33 percent of their premises. Only approved plant species should be used and recycled water should be used for irrigation.
He also directed that the online continuous emissions monitoring system (analyzer) should be kept running 24 hours a day and its regular calibration should be done every three months. He said that the real success of any tree planting campaign does not lie in the number of saplings planted, but in their safe conservation and survival.
President, Vice President, Director level representatives of major industrial units of the state along with regional and departmental officers of Environment Protection Board were also present in the meeting.