Bhubaneswar: CM Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday said forests are the foundation of life and livelihood, stressing the need to protect and expand green cover while maintaining a balance between environment and industrialisation.Addressing the state-level International Day of Forests-2026 celebration here, Majhi said the aim is to raise public awareness about the importance of forests, conservation and climate change.He said Odisha has emerged as a leading state in forest protection and green belt creation through effective forest management, large-scale plantation drives and public participation. The chief minister said the state recorded an increase of 558 sq km in forest and tree cover over the past two years.According to him, forests and trees now cover 58,597 square kilometres, accounting for 37.63 per cent of Odisha’s total geographical area. He said more than 1.49 crore saplings were planted in a single day under the ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ campaign, while over 8 crore saplings were planted in a year.Majhi said advances in science and technology have made it possible to pursue industrialisation in less space and without harming the environment. He said environment and industrial growth can complement each other if managed with the right balance.Referring to this year’s theme, “Forests and Economies”, the CM said forests are vital not only for ecological security, but also for the development of the state and the country. He said Odisha has launched wide-ranging programmes to turn forests into a major source of livelihood and called for collective support to strengthen these efforts.Forest, environment and climate change minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia said the Centre has consistently stressed the development of rural and forest-dwelling communities. He said the department is working to improve the lives and livelihoods of people living near forests and is creating alternative livelihood opportunities in tribal-dominated districts.Chief secretary Anu Garg said Odisha has set major goals for 2036 and 2047 and is targeting large-scale employment generation alongside economic growth. She said the state plans to create 25 lakh jobs in the tourism sector, with the forest department expected to play a key role. She said forests must be developed not only as ecological assets but also as economic assets, with a stronger focus on the green economy.
