Protect nature to get rid of pandemics like Covid: CM

Nagpur: Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday made a clarion call to the people and various agencies for protecting nature to avoid pandemics like Covid-19. He stressed the need to draw a line (Laxman Rekha) between developmental projects and biodiversity conservation.
Thackeray was addressing a virtual function to celebrate International Biodiversity Day organized by Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board (MSBB). This year’s theme was ‘We are part of the solution for nature’.
Thackeray said, “Man made many inventions and successfully launched Mars and moon missions, but we are still small in front of nature. Have we able to produce water? Nature has always showered blessings on us but we have always betrayed it by taking up mindless destruction with various developmental projects.”
The chief minister called for setting up a technical institute that would suggest solutions for sustainable development. Otherwise, buzzwords like climate change will remain only on paper.
“You are destroying nature for good roads so that you can reach the hospital in time but I feel why to bring a situation where you need to go to the hospital by destructing nature,” he said.
PCCF & member secretary Praveen Srivastava said the biodiversity board will consider working on the chief minister’s suggestion of a technical institute for sustainable development.
Principal secretary to CM Vikas Kharge, forest secretary Milind Mhaiskar, chairman of MSBB SH Patil, special technical member of National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) Achalendra Reddy were present.
Making a mention of late Indian scientist Jagdish Chandra Bose, who made a significant contribution to plant science, Thackeray said, “Youth should come forward to contribute for biodiversity research and its conservation.” He also called for maintaining restraint on unwanted developmental projects.