Bhopal: While addressing a symposium on ‘Urgency in Addressing the Needs of Environment and Conservation of Wildlife’, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that both government and people should work in tandem in this connection. The symposium was held on the third day of the Vidhan Sabha presiding officers' conference here today. He said that efforts should also be made to keep the environment of Assembly Houses clean. Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar was also present on the occasion.
Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh is known for its lush green forests and diverse species of wildlife. The state has 34 sanctuaries and National Parks. Madhya Pradesh has 29 percent forest cover out of total forest cover of the country. Due to continuous exploitation of forests, it has become necessary now to look at conservation of forests and wildlife from spiritual point of view. India's ancient culture has been eco-friendly. The entire network of nature is extension of one spirit and human beings are a part of it. He said that according to the annual report of Forest Survey of India for the year 2009, forest cover has increased in Madhya Pradesh. Forests are the breathing apparatus of the state and therefore the Union Government must extend necessary cooperation to Madhya Pradesh in this connection.
Chouhan said that laws alone will not be adequate to deal with the challenges of global warming and global chilling. For this, people's mindset will have to be changed. Masses will have to come forward and help the government in its efforts to conserve forests. The Chief Minister said apart from conservation of forests, the environment of Houses should also be kept clean. Chouhan said that due to continual elections all the political parties get busy with the works related to the poll process. Simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha can bring down election expenses.
Chouhan further said that he is issuing this appeal while taking advantage of presence of presiding officers and Speakers of country's Vidhan Sabhas. He said that it will be in the interest of democracy if state funding of elections is undertaken after setting the limits of election expenses of all the recognised political parties. He said that such solid efforts are the need of the hour to do away with the ills plaguing Indian political scenario. The symposium was also addressed by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Vidhan Sabha Speaker Ishwardas Lohani.
While welcoming the guests from other states to Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha has carved out a distinct identity through best behaviour by its members and creative discussions on relevant and important issues. Earlier, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan inaugurated the symposium. Vidhan Sabha Speaker Ishwardas Rohani presented mementoes to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and the Chief Minister. At the outset, Meira Kumar presented mementoes to Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Ishwardas Rohani, Deputy Speaker Harvansh Singh and Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Principal Secretary AK Payasi. Vidhan Sabha Speaker Ishwardas Rohani lauded the role of Chief Minister Chouhan as Leader of the House.