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Mumbai is gearing up for a game-changing event in the realm of environmental sustainability. The Department of Environment and Climate Change of Maharashtra State, in partnership with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the Phoenix Foundation, is orchestrating a momentous conference titled “Sustainable Environmental Development.” This landmark event is scheduled for January 9, 2024, at the prestigious Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan in South Mumbai.
Dignitaries from various echelons of governance and industry luminaries dedicated to environmental and climate change endeavors are set to grace the occasion. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will be among the prominent attendees.
Pasha Patel, Chairman of the Agriculture Price Commission in Maharashtra, emphasized the crucial role both the government and private sectors play in environmental protection. He stressed the significance of private industries stepping up to contribute to the country’s sustainable development, particularly by exploring the vast potential of bamboo cultivation.
“Amidst escalating carbon emissions resulting from the global industrial revolution, climate change-induced crises are becoming increasingly prevalent,” Patel remarked. He underscored the urgency of addressing these issues, warning that humanity’s very existence could be imperiled within the next few decades if swift action isn’t taken. Patel highlighted recent environmental calamities globally, citing incidents in Nagpur, Dubai, New York, Uttarakhand, and Libya, signaling the dire consequences of climate change.
Referring to alarming data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Patel warned about rising sea levels threatening coastal cities by 2050. He stressed that surpassing 450 ppm (parts per million) of carbon emissions in the atmosphere could lead to catastrophic consequences. However, he noted a current reduction to 422 ppm from 280 ppm in 1750, signaling a need for urgent measures to safeguard the planet.
Recognizing the need for extensive tree plantation to mitigate carbon levels, Patel emphasized a comprehensive bamboo plantation scheme by the state government, aiming to cover 10 lakh hectares. This initiative not only aligns with environmental conservation but also holds immense socio-economic promise, providing substantial subsidies to farmers and fostering sustainable income through bamboo sales.
The upcoming conference aims to tackle pressing challenges such as climate change. With seasoned panelists like former union minister Suresh Prabhu and domain experts discussing bamboo-based solutions, implementation strategies, and sustainable industry practices, the event promises to chart a path toward a more sustainable future.
In an international conference emphasizing the importance of bamboo in sustainable development and agriculture, key stakeholders including the Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Department of Agriculture, and Ministry of Industries will participate.
Maharashtra’s ambitious Bamboo Plantation Scheme, backed by substantial subsidies, seeks to transform vast wastelands into thriving bamboo reserves, signaling the state’s commitment to environmental protection.
The inclusion of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) in the bamboo plantation scheme offers a robust support system for farmers, ensuring sustainable income and fostering private-public collaboration for expediting and endorsing this transformative initiative.
