RIYADH – Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav addressed a gathering at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh on Tuesday night and interacted with the Indian diaspora present in the auditorium. The Indian community warmly welcomed Honorable Minister, who answered many questions, including queries on climate action issues. The Event included cultural performances.
Stressing on the importance of plantation, the Minister said that the Union government has planted one billion trees in the country under the “Ek Peer Maa Ke Naam” campaign. He said that due to plantation, pollution is reduced, shade is provided to humans and shelter is provided to birds. Plantation of trees is the best practice in improving the environment.
The Environment Minister further said that air pollution is a big problem in the country. Haze in Delhi and the northern states, smoke emitted from vehicles and factories are the main reason for this problem. The Union Government is taking serious steps to control this problem and improve air quality. Yadav said that Chennai and Coimbatore are the best cities in terms of air quality. He also said that the present government has not only developed the country economically but also socially during its tenure.
On the arrival of Union Minister Bhupinder Yadav, who belongs to Rajasthan, at the Embassy auditorium, Rajasthani artists performed the folk song “Kesaria Balam Padharu Mare Desh…”. After which students from Haryana and Rajasthan performed dances.
Referring to this cultural program in his address, the Environment Minister said that he was very happy to see that Indian immigrants are preserving the traditional dance and music of their homeland abroad.
After his speech, Bhupender Yadav participated in a long question and answer session with great patience. In response to a question, he said that 50 percent of the total population of tigers in the world is in India. Work has been underway to protect tigers in the country for the past fifty years. Today, there are a total of 57 Tiger Reserves in India. These tiger reserves are in 17 states of the country. He advised NRIs to visit the country’s Tiger Reserves whenever they come to the country. In response to another question, he said that there are 36,000 types of trees in the country. He also said that nature protects those who protect nature.
At the start of the event, Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan welcomed the gathering. He said that 2.6 million Indians are living in the country in the form of employment, which is like a bridge between India and Saudi Arabia. The Indian Ambassador said that under the “Ek Peer Maa Ke Naam” campaign, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav planted a tree in the embassy premises a day ago.
The Minister also launched the book “Pravasi Preechay 2024” program.
The host of the event, First Sectretary, Moin Akhtar, welcomed the gathering. He also presented a brief introduction of visiting Union Minister Bhupender Yadav.
