On the occasion of World Tiger Day, the Chief Minister participated in a state-level consultation workshop held at a hotel in Jakhan, focused on the “Effective Implementation and Enforcement of the Single-Use Plastic Ban.” During the event, he unveiled paintings and postcards centered on tiger conservation. He also honored individuals who had taken courageous steps during human-wildlife conflicts and made significant contributions to the field of wildlife conservation.
The Chief Minister remarked that holding a workshop on this subject on World Tiger Day was highly meaningful. He described the event not merely as a workshop, but as a collective pledge to ensure a clean, safe, and green future for coming generations. He stated that the tiger is not just a wild animal but a symbol of our rich biodiversity and balanced ecosystem; if our forests remain safe, tigers will remain safe, and the balance of nature will be preserved.
The Chief Minister noted that in Indian culture, nature is revered as a mother figure. ‘Devbhoomi’ Uttarakhand holds a distinct identity across the country for its rich biodiversity, forest wealth, and wildlife conservation efforts. The state’s forest areas, including Corbett Tiger Reserve and Rajaji Tiger Reserve, stand as powerful symbols of this heritage.
He highlighted that single-use plastic has become a serious threat to the environment, rivers, soil, water sources, and wildlife. Plastic discarded in forest areas often finds its way into the diet of wild animals, adversely affecting their health. He emphasized that launching an effective and decisive campaign against single-use plastic is the need of the hour to protect forests, rivers, and wildlife.
The Chief Minister stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (A Tree in Mother’s Name), Namami Gange, and the promotion of clean energy have transformed environmental conservation into a mass movement. The state government is also continuously working with environmental conservation as a top priority. He affirmed that development and the environment complement each other. The Chief Minister stated that the state government is undertaking comprehensive public awareness campaigns, inspections, and enforcement actions to ensure the effective implementation of the ban on single-use plastic. Special drives are being conducted to make the Char Dham Yatra routes and major tourist destinations plastic-free. Simultaneously, the scientific management and recycling of plastic waste are being promoted.
The Chief Minister urged people to adopt cloth bags, jute products, and other eco-friendly alternatives. He also appealed to pilgrims and tourists visiting the state not to leave behind plastic or other forms of waste at natural sites. He called upon the industrial sector to adopt eco-friendly packaging and modern recycling technologies, and urged the youth to transform this initiative into a mass movement through schools, colleges, Gram Sabhas, self-help groups, and social organizations.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the suggestions emerging from the state-level consultative workshop would further strengthen the effective implementation of the single-use plastic ban in Uttarakhand and play a pivotal role in realizing the resolve to make the state free from single-use plastic.
Dehradun Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal, Tehri District Panchayat Chairperson Ishita Sajwan, Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, Head of Forest Force (HoFF) Kapil Lal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Nina Grewal, Pollution Control Board Member Secretary Dr. Parag Madhukar Dhakate, and subject matter experts were present on the occasion.
