Agartala, June 5: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have planted over 6.40 crore trees across the country since 2019 as part of a sustained effort to strengthen forest cover and protect the environment.
Addressing Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at the Lankamura Border Outpost along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura’s West district on the occasion of World Environment Day, Shah highlighted the role of the CAPF in promoting environmental conservation through large-scale afforestation drives.
The Home Minister said that while the CAPF planted more than 6.40 crore trees over the past eight years, this year’s focus would be on both fresh plantation and replacing saplings that failed to survive in previous drives. Around 40 lakh to 60 lakh trees are expected to be planted this year, while an ambitious target of planting two crore trees has been set for next year.
Shah expressed concern over the impact of rapid urbanisation and indiscriminate tree felling, which he said have contributed to rising temperatures, climate change, and environmental degradation. He noted that these developments are adversely affecting agriculture, human life, and the ecological balance.
“Increasing forest cover, protecting existing forests, and adopting environment-friendly practices are the only effective ways to address the challenges posed by climate change,” Shah said.
Joining Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and other dignitaries, the Home Minister planted saplings at the border outpost and urged citizens and institutions to participate in large-scale afforestation efforts for the benefit of future generations.
He also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on environmental protection, energy conservation, and sustainable development. Shah said India remains committed to the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and has implemented several initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, promote clean energy, and encourage sustainable practices.
Warning about the long-term consequences of environmental neglect, Shah said that rising global temperatures and climate change could make the Earth increasingly difficult to inhabit if corrective measures are not taken immediately. He called upon people to care for the environment as they would for their own families, stressing that safeguarding forests and natural resources is essential for humanity’s future.
