State has target to raise green cover by 17% by 2028: Minister
Patna: On World Environment Day, Sunil Kumar, minister for environment, forest and climate change, launched the song 'Harit Bihar banayenge-naya Bihar banayenge' at the Patna zoo on Thursday.
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He also provided assistance of Rs 25,000 to Rajesh Kumar, known as 'Oxygen Man', for his contribution towards environmental conservation.
During the event, the minister highlighted the state's progress in increasing its forest cover from 7.62% in 2004 to 15.05% at present, with a target to reach 17% by 2028. He said efforts made by the govt for the promotion of eco-tourism in the state, such as the development of sites like Rajgir, Valmiki Nagar, and Bodh Gaya, are yielding results.
"Bihar is not only a land of historical heritage but also environmentally rich. Animal parks like Patna zoo serve as major centres of awareness," he said, adding that initiatives like the Hariyali Mission, Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali and 'Ek ghanta paryavaran ke naam' have engaged all sections of society.
He recalled the PM's 'Ek ped maa ke naam' initiative and appealed to people to participate in the environment's protection by planting saplings in the name of their kin.
On this occasion, the department's additional chief secretary, Harjot Kaur Bamhrah, stated that environment's protection is possible not only through govt's efforts but also through people's cooperation.
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Time of India
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BALARAMAPURAM HANDLOOM AN OVERVIEW Royal patronage | Erstwhile Travancore king Maharaja Balarama Varma invited skilled Saliyar weavers from Tamil Nadu around 1798 to weave fine cotton for the royal family ---------- Kasavu craft | Weaving, which began with fine mundu, expanded 100 years ago with natural cream-coloured cotton saris, adorned with intricate kasavu or zari made from silver threads coated with gold, getting popular ---------- Stamp of approval | Balaramapuram handloom received GI status in 2009, affirming its unique craftsmanship ---------- Over 2,000 weavers worked actively at Saliyar Street and surrounding areas 20 years ago ---------- Less than 100 engage in traditional home-based weaving there now ---------- 5,100 looms were operational in 1990 but more than 80% of weavers have quit since then, with many now running textile shops or engaged in other work ---------- Challenges faced 1. Competition from power looms 2. Rising cost of raw materials 3. Lack of sufficient market access for products 4. Inadequate govt support ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ STATEWIDE HANDLOOM CLUSTERS Production (co-op sector) No. of looms: 14,064 Cloth production: 47.02 million metres Value of production: ₹96.34cr ------- Govt assistance State govt loans: ₹109.34L NCDC/Nabard/Hudco support: ₹6.39L -------------- Co-op societies Factory-type societies: 108 Profit-making: 35 Loss-making: 73 --------------------- Key handloom centres Kannur | Chirakkal, Azhikode, Thalassery Thiruvananthapuram | Balaramapuram, Chirayinkeezhu Palakkad | Chittur, Kalladikode Ernakulam | North Paravur, Aluva (Chendamangalam) Kozhikode | Beypore, Koyilandy Kasaragod | Kasaragod town, Nileshwar
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