Arunachal aims to increase green cover

Guwahati, Jan. 16: The Nabam Tuki government in Arunachal Pradesh is aiming to increase the frontier state’s green cover from the existing 82 per cent to 90 per cent.

The chief minister said this at a function in New Delhi where he received two awards yesterday — the Green State of the Year Award on behalf of the state government conferred by the International body Clean Up The Earth and the Lifetime Achievement for Peace by the United Nations-affiliated International Association of Educators of World Peace.

According to the biennial State of Forest Report 2011, the forest cover of India stands at 21.05 per cent of its total geographical area of 3,287,263 sq km and that of Arunachal Pradesh stands at 80.50 per cent out of its total area 83,743 sq km.

India had lost 367 sq km in forest cover, according to a 2009 assessment while Arunachal lost 74 sq km. Mizoram, however, topped the Northeast with 90.68 per cent of its total area under forest cover despite losing 66 sq km according to the 2009 assessment.

Arunachal’s present forest cover stands at around 82 per cent, Tuki said.

“I have already initiated steps to further this greenery from existing 82 per cent to 90 per cent in years to come. I credit the Green State of the Year Award to the 14 lakh people of my state, particularly those living in the rural areas, who have preserved the rich forest and environment from time immemorial,” Tuki said in his acceptance speech, emphasising on the efforts to make the state a green economy.

Hailing the contribution of his state in mitigating the disastrous effects of climate change and global warming, Tuki added, “My state will do its best in controlling pollution besides doing its utmost in the area of climate change management by maintaining the forest cover desired to maintain the appropriate climate for survival of mankind.”