UDAIPUR, July 22 (TIWN): Chief Minister Manik Sarkar inaugurated the 65th State Level Banmahotsav in Netaji Sub has Mahavidyalaya in Udaipur today. At 12 noon Chief Minister inaugurated the Banmahotsav by lighting a candle. This is the first time that Udaipur is hosting State Level Bahmahotsav. Incidentally Forest Minister Naresh Jamatia too hails from Udaipur.

Tourism Minister Rattan Bhowmik, Chief Secretary S K Panda, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest ST Talukdar, Principal Secretary (Agriculture& Forest) Dr V K Bahuguna, MLA Madhab Saga and DM Gomati Sonal Goal remained present on this occasion. Forest Minister Naresh Jamatia presided over the programme. PCCF S Talukdar gave away the Welcome Address.

Speaking on this occasion Chief Minister Manik Sarkar stressed on the need of public private joint awareness in saving the forest. He said," Only Govt can't protect forests. People need to plant trees on memorable days like those who are donating blood in memorable days of their life and family. Forest and Life are inseparable from one another.

These days throughout the world pressure has increased on land as more and more areas are being taken up for industrialisation. Thus, we need to save forests for our own survival." Manik Sarkar said that in Tripura 60% of the total land surface is covered under forest; but income from forest is not up to the mark. He said that Forest Department is now making a plan so that in future 60-65% of Tripura's internal revenue comes from forests.

He said that in Tripura two organs from Germany and Japan are now investing to protect and extent the existing forest. In Manik Sarkar's view," The future generation of Tripura will have Green Tripura." But he cautioned against the forest depletion. Chief Minister said that for our own survival we must save forests; otherwise we will be heading towards extinction.

In his address Chief Secretary S K Panda said," The moto of this year's Banmahotsav is 'Save our Mother Earth by Planting Trees' and the moto clearly suggests the importance of forests. The teachers can play a big role in encouraging their students to take part in tree plantation." He said that whenever any foreigner or a person from outside the state comes to Tripura, he or she is pleased to see the forests in the state.

He said," It is really a matter of pride. But there is no place for complacency; rather it makes us more committed in our effort in saving the forests. S K Panda said that unemployment is the most difficult problem of the state at present. But he said," In future we can solve the unemployment problem to a great extent by establishing more and more Eco-Tourism Centres. For this sustainability of forests must be mentioned."

Chief Secretary also added that in the last year 83% forests were saved. And in this year the target is 90%. As part of 65th State Level Banmahotsav 5000 seedlings have been distributed among the school and college students. The seedlings are of 19 species including Teak, Mehagani, Sandhi etc. A series of programmes were under taken to make the Banmahotsav a grand success like debate, Logo & Slogan competition, Sit & Draw Competition, Cycle rally and massive plantation from Maharani to Kakraban with special emphasis on bamboo plantation along the banks of Gomati River.

Today prizes were distributed among those, who secured1st, 2nd and 3rd places in various competitions.