Freebie for a cause: Jharkhand CM offers five units free electricity for one tree planted at home

Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday appealed to people to come forward to protect the environment and said that the government would give free of cost five units of electricity against each tree to the urban family.

Addressing the 73^rd Mahotsava, a programme of the forest department held on IIM campus at Pundag in Ranchi, he said that as far as environment is concerned, the situation is very alarming in the urban area. He urged the urban people to plant fruit bearing and shady trees on their campus. Against each such tree the government will give five units of electricity to encourage people to plant more plants.

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Highlighting the importance of the forest, environment and ecology, he said that it is the duty of the people of Jharkhand to save the forests of Jharkhand. He said that saw mills would be prohibited in the forest area.

He said as long as there are trees in the campus or the premises of the houses, the owner will continue to get this benefit of free electricity. But the tree should not be a marigold or rose plant but a fruit tree or any other tree.

The Chief Minister said that the way infrastructure is developed by tampering with nature “we are also inviting destruction. If there is no harmony, then human life itself will have to bear the brunt of it,” he said.

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He said that Jharkhand preserved traces of the dinosaur era. He further added that for the purpose of environment promotion, biodiversity parks are being constructed at Chakulia, Giridih, Sahibganj and Dumka. “It is a matter of pride that the state’s first and unique fossil park has been dedicated to the public. Many relics and information related to the origin of the earth are found in this fossil park,” he said.

He said that his government has taken a decision to remove all saw mills situated within five km radius of the forest area. “It is not possible to have a saw mill in the middle of the forest without the knowledge of the officials. This conspiracy is being hatched for personal interests. Such people need to rein in their working style,” he said.