Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday called global warming a challenge facing the world caused by unplanned and unscientific development by people.
"The world is concerned today; every person with a little positive feeling about the environment and the living world is concerned (about the environment)," Yogi said at an event in Lucknow to distribute appointment letters to 701 forest guards, including 140 women, selected by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC).
The challenge of global warming is the fallout of following the path of unplanned and unscientific development, he said.
"Somewhere there is excessive rain, while somewhere there is heat wave. Somewhere life is destroyed by floods, while somewhere people are yearning for a drop of water," he said.
He emphasised govt's dedication to forest and environmental conservation while highlighting the responsibilities of the newly appointed officers. Congratulating them on their new roles, the CM asked the new forest guards to play as an "environmental guardian".
He also encouraged them to step beyond their offices, reach out to villages, and educate communities about the importance of environmental conservation.
Yogi reiterated govt's commitment to fair recruitment, stating that nepotism was eliminated to ensure a transparent selection process.
He praised the UPSSSC for providing opportunities based solely on merit, noting that since 2017, seven lakh youth secured govt jobs through transparent procedures. This integrity, he emphasised, ensures that deserving candidates can achieve their dreams without facing discrimination.
He said that in the past, recruitment announcements in Uttar Pradesh often favoured personal connections, reminiscent of the complex kinship seen in the Mahabharata.
Addressing the newly appointed candidates, the CM said that the govt expects them to uphold the same standards of transparency and fairness in their roles.
"Any negligence at any level is held accountable. This approach allowed the govt to provide over 7 lakh youth with govt jobs in the past seven and a half years, realising Prime Minister Modi's vision of transparent and fair recruitment," he added.
Yogi further highlighted the state's remarkable progress, noting that Uttar Pradesh nearly doubled its economy and per capita income during this period.
"Over 7 lakh youth secured govt jobs, and over 2 crore found employment opportunities in the private sector," he said.
Yogi highlighted that among the newly appointed 701 forest inspectors, 140 are women, a testament to the success of the state's women reservation policy. He reaffirmed govt's commitment to providing equal opportunities for women across all sectors.
He noted that 20% of all recruitment positions in UP are reserved for women, and a significant number will be selected in the upcoming police recruitment drive as well.
Addressing critical environmental challenges such as global warming, climate change, and pollution, Yogi underscored their severity.
Citing the recent closure of schools in various parts of the state, including Lucknow, due to escalating air pollution, CM highlighted the urgent need for environmental awareness and action.
He called upon the forest department to take a leading role in addressing these issues.
The CM said that over 200 crore trees were planted in Uttar Pradesh over the past seven and a half years, with a remarkable survival rate of 75%.
He attributed this success to govt's emphasis on community participation, noting that when public movements align with govt initiatives, success is inevitable.
Furthermore, he instructed forest department personnel to educate local communities on the benefits of eco-tourism and the importance of preserving wildlife.