Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and wife Kalpana Soren Participate in 77th State-Level Forest Festival 2026, Emphasizing Environmental Protection and Green Future Through Tree Plantation.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Mr. Hemant Soren and his wife Mrs. Kalpana Soren participated in the 77th State-Level Forest Festival 2026 held at Harivansh Tana Bhagat Indoor Stadium in Khelgaon, Ranchi. On this occasion, they expressed their views in detail on environmental protection, the challenges of climate change, and the importance of tree plantation. Chief Minister Mr. Hemant Soren and MLA Mrs. Kalpana Soren planted trees, conveying a message of environmental protection and a green future. They stated that amidst the growing challenges of climate change, tree plantation is the most effective way to maintain environmental balance. The Chief Minister urged the people of the state to plant more trees and pledge to protect them.
Balance Between Development and Environment is the Key to a Sustainable Future
Chief Minister Mr. Hemant Soren said that climate change has become one of the most serious and alarming challenges facing the world today. Its effects are no longer limited to the environment but are clearly visible on human life, agriculture, water resources, biodiversity, and the overall development process. He stated that due to continuous interference with the environment and natural resources, indiscriminate exploitation, and unplanned development activities, significant changes are being observed in the climate.
The Chief Minister mentioned that industrialization, mining activities, urbanization, and various development-related tasks have a direct impact on the environment. In such a situation, maintaining the pace of development while establishing a balance between environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources is the greatest need of the hour. He said that development will be meaningful only when it progresses in harmony with nature.
He emphasized the need to avoid unnecessary interference with nature and the environment, and to ensure the judicious and responsible use of invaluable resources like water, forests, and land. Concrete steps must be taken starting today to provide a safe and clean environment for future generations. Connecting tree plantation, forest conservation, water conservation, and biodiversity conservation with public participation is extremely essential.
The Chief Minister stated that environmental protection is not just the responsibility of the government or any single institution, but it is the moral and social duty of every individual in society. Unless the general public actively participates in this direction, an effective solution to global challenges like climate change will not be possible. He called upon everyone to give the form of a mass movement to environmental protection and to actively contribute to building a green and prosperous future.
Every Citizen Should Plant a Tree and Resolve to Protect It
Chief Minister Mr. Hemant Soren urged the people of the state to plant more trees, stating that each individual should plant at least one tree and also resolve to protect and care for it. He said that tree plantation should not be limited to just planting saplings but also to keeping them safe, regularly nurturing them, and helping them grow into trees is equally important. The Chief Minister said that public participation is the most effective means in the direction of environmental protection. If every citizen of the state plants a tree and fulfills their responsibility, then Jharkhand can become an example in the field of greenery and environmental protection in the coming times. He said that he himself will review the condition of the saplings planted under various campaigns in the coming years. Also, individuals, organizations, and communities that make significant contributions in the field of tree plantation and environmental protection will be honored to encourage them.
Impact of Climate Change on Human Life, Birds, and Wildlife
Chief Minister Mr. Hemant Soren said that due to climate change, rapid changes are being observed in weather patterns. In the last few years, there has been a significant change in the nature and intensity of natural events, which has become a cause for concern for the entire world. He mentioned that there is a continuous increase in irregular rainfall, cloudburst incidents, excessive rainfall, extreme heat, prolonged droughts, lightning strikes, and other natural disasters.
The Chief Minister further added that these changing weather conditions are directly impacting human life, agriculture, water resources, and livelihoods. Rural areas and farmers, in particular, are facing severe consequences. He stated that natural disasters cause loss of life and property, as well as damage to crops, livestock, and infrastructure, adversely affecting people's lives and livelihoods.
He said that the impact of climate change is not limited to humans but also causes great harm to birds, wildlife, and other living beings. Changes in natural habitats, disruption of water sources, and environmental imbalance are becoming serious challenges for biodiversity. He stressed that to deal with these situations, it is necessary to advance environmental protection, tree plantation, water conservation, and sustainable use of natural resources with public participation.
Priority Will Be Given to Planting Trees Beneficial for the Environment, Human Life, and Wildlife
Chief Minister Mr. Hemant Soren stated that under tree plantation campaigns in the state, priority will be given to planting trees that are beneficial for environmental protection as well as for human life, wildlife, and biodiversity. He said that the objective is not just to increase the number of trees, but it is essential to select species that strengthen the local ecosystem and play an important role in maintaining environmental balance.
He mentioned that while planning and implementing tree plantation schemes, special attention will be paid to local geographical conditions, climate, soil type, and the region's biodiversity. Under this, fruit-bearing, shade-providing, medicinal, and wildlife-friendly tree species will be promoted, so that in addition to environmental protection, common people, birds, and other creatures also get direct benefits.
The Chief Minister said that to tackle the challenges of climate change, the conservation and promotion of local and traditional tree species are extremely essential. This will not only increase the green cover but also strengthen groundwater conservation, soil fertility, clean air, and the natural habitats of wildlife. He added that the state government is prioritizing tree plantation schemes that are nature-friendly and provide long-term environmental benefits, in order to make Jharkhand a greener, more prosperous, and environmentally balanced state.
Finally, referring to the flood situation in various parts of the country, including Assam, Chief Minister Mr. Hemant Soren said that the impact of climate change and natural imbalance is not limited to human life but also has a profound effect on wildlife, biodiversity, and the entire ecosystem. Disasters like floods cause extensive damage to wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and protected forest areas. This affects the natural habitats of the animals and birds living there, creating a serious crisis in their lives. Often, wild animals are forced to leave their original habitats in search of food and safe shelter, which affects both their safety and existence.
He said that due to the expansion of human activities and the continuous decrease in forest area, the natural habitat of wildlife is shrinking. As a result, wild animals are being forced to move towards populated areas, leading to an increase in human-wildlife conflict incidents. This situation is a clear indication of environmental imbalance, and we need to understand our responsibilities towards nature.
The Chief Minister stated that the environment is the basis for fulfilling all the fundamental needs of human life. Life cannot be imagined without clean water, pure air, fertile land, and natural resources. Therefore, environmental protection must be made an integral part of our lifestyle and social culture, not just a government program or campaign.
He said that providing a safe, clean, and balanced environment to future generations is the collective responsibility of all of us. For this, tree plantation, water conservation, biodiversity conservation, and the sustainable and judicious use of natural resources must be promoted with public participation. Only then can we effectively face environmental challenges and build a secure and green future.
Chief Minister honored 20 forest friends and committee representatives from various forest divisions of the state for their outstanding contribution in the field of forest conservation, biodiversity enrichment, and community forest management.
On the occasion of the 77th State Level Forest Festival 2026, Chief Minister Mr. Hemant Soren honored 20 forest friends and committee representatives selected from various forest divisions of the state for their remarkable work in the fields of forest conservation, enrichment, biodiversity conservation, and community forest management. Appreciating the contribution of the honored individuals, the Chief Minister said that their role in environmental protection and building a green Jharkhand is inspiring.
Those honored include:
Mrs. Phulvin Bernadette Kujur (Ranchi Forest Division), Mr. Taiket Chandra Pradhan (Ghatshila Forest Division), Mr. Budhdev Chalak (Dumka Forest Division), Mr. Pauthiram Hansda (Podahat Forest Division, Chaibasa), Mr. Ramesh Naik (Podahat Forest Division, Chaibasa), Mr. Niroj Tete (Gumla Forest Division), Mr. Tarkeshwar Munda (Ranchi Forest Division), Mrs. Sony Devi (Jharkhand Biodiversity Council, Ranchi) Mr. Lakshman Murmu (Sahebganj Forest Division) Mr. Rajiv Ranjan Prasad (Sahebganj Forest Division), Mr. Jainul Ansari (Simdega Forest Division), Mr. Krishna Singh (Koderma Forest Division), Mr. Manoj Rana (Giridih East Forest Division), Mr. Mithilesh Kumar (Medininagar Forest Division), Mr. Surendra Paswan (Medininagar Forest Division) Mr. Muneshwar Mahto (Hazaribagh East Forest Division), Mr. Khursheed Alam (Chatra North Forest Division), Mr. Gudul Singh (Palamau Tiger Reserve, North Division), Mr. Raju Korwa (Palamau Tiger Reserve, North Division), Mr. Nasir Khan (Palamau Tiger Reserve, North Division)
On this occasion, MLA Mrs. Kalpana Soren, Secretary Mr. Abu Bakar Siddiqui, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Vishwanath Shah, Mr. A. T. Mishra, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Venkatesh Lu, Mr. Jabber Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Mr. S. R. Netesha, and other officials from the Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Department were present.