Naidu concerned over loss of trees at unbelievable pace, flags off ‘Tree Ambulance’

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu on May 22, 2019, called for achieving sustainable development that is equitable and people-centred and stressed the need for efficient and frugal use of natural resources. Inaugurating the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) celebrations at Chennai, Naidu said Biodiversity is fundamental to the survival of the human race and said that man must re-establish the link with nature, as did the ancients in India centuries ago, and take from earth and the environment only so much “as we can replenish”.

Observing that sustainable development mandates the efficient and frugal use of available natural resources including biodiversity, the Vice President said, “A grave challenge we face today is the destruction of forests and the loss of species.” Expressing his concern over the loss of trees at an unbelievable pace due to deforestation, urbanisation, industrialisation, and pollution, Naidu said India’s forest cover stands at 21% against global standard of 33.3%. India has lost over 1.6 million hectare of tree cover between 2001 and 2018, according to a new study released by the World Resources Institute (WRI), Naidu added.

Lamenting that the symbiotic relationship of man with nature was being threatened as societies develop, the Vice President warned that any damage to environment would put the well-being of future generations in peril. Stating that India is one of the oldest civilisations in the world, Naidu said that the concern for environment was an innate aspect of the Indian psyche and faith, reflected in religious practices, folklore, art and culture permeating every aspect of the daily lives of the people.

Earlier in the day, the Vice President flagged off the ‘Tree Ambulance’ initiative, a campaign to save trees. The Tree Ambulance has been conceived, designed, fabricated and equipped to provide first aid treatment to trees, aid tree plantation, assist the shifting of trees, and carry out seed ball distribution etc. Naidu said that out of the box solutions such as the Tree Ambulance, coupled with community participation, can go a long way in conserving and increasing our green cover and applauded K Abdul Ghani and Suresh for their efforts in setting up the Tree Ambulance.

The Vice President opined that the theme for this year’s IDB Celebrations, ‘Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health’ was very topical. He emphasised that the Indian way of life dictated eating seasonal and locally available food. He said that our traditional food systems were healthier and much more balanced from the nutrition point of view. ‘Millet-based meals consumed extensively in rural areas all over India are extremely nutrient rich’ he added, according to a PIB release.

Naidu expressed deep concern over increased dependence on a handful of crops resulting in a rapid decline of agro-biodiversity. “As much as 80% of food supply is based on a few crops such as rice, wheat, maize and millets. The loss of diversity in diets is directly linked to life-style diseases as well,” he warned.