Amit Shah Launches Rs 1,003 Crore Development Initiatives in Ahmedabad, Advocates for Mass Tree Planting
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/18th August 2024
On Sunday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a significant array of development projects in Ahmedabad, with a total investment of Rs 1,003 crore. During the event, Shah emphasized the importance of environmental conservation and urged the residents of Ahmedabad to actively participate in a nationwide tree planting campaign. He called upon citizens to plant a number of trees equivalent to the number of their family members in their local residential areas, wastelands, and schools.
Shah highlighted the critical role that trees play in safeguarding the environment and the ozone layer. He acknowledged the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) ambitious commitment to plant 30 lakh trees within the next 100 days, noting his own involvement in this campaign. Shah praised this initiative, describing it as a substantial effort by the municipal corporation and challenging the citizens of Ahmedabad to match this commitment with their own personal contributions.
Addressing the audience, Shah stressed that every individual should strive to enhance the oxygen levels in their environment, counteracting the carbon dioxide emissions generated from vehicles, air conditioners, and electricity use. He pointed out that significant deforestation has occurred to accommodate infrastructure development, such as roads and power stations, leading to a depletion of the ozone layer and presenting a serious threat to both Earth and human survival.
Shah echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for people to dedicate a tree to their mothers as a way to repay the “debt” to them. He implored every resident of Ahmedabad to take responsibility by planting a tree and nurturing it as if it were their own child. This initiative is part of a broader movement, with cities across India pledging to plant large numbers of trees. Shah emphasized the importance of Ahmedabad joining this effort, which has gained momentum under the PM’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.
Looking forward, Shah outlined his vision for Ahmedabad’s future development. He promised that in the next two years, the city will be transformed into a model urban center with no slums or pollution. Additionally, he envisioned every household equipped with a toilet and health card.
During the event, Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation for 45 development projects, which include the establishment of two oxygen plants, waste collection vehicles, sewage treatment facilities, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, urban health centers, a yoga-cum-meditation center, smart schools, and aanganwadis (women and child care centers). These initiatives reflect a concerted effort to improve infrastructure and public amenities, further enhancing the quality of life in Ahmedabad.
The launch of these projects and the emphasis on environmental responsibility mark a significant step toward sustainable development and community well-being. Shah’s call to action for tree planting underscores a crucial aspect of environmental stewardship and highlights the role that local communities can play in addressing global challenges.
