Centre refuses to fund Khanduri's green dream

New Delhi, Nov 16 (UNI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri is piqued over attitude of the Union Ministry of Environment towards his project of creating eco-task forces comprising ex-servicemen to help improve the green cover in the state.

He told mediapersons here that he was disappointed by the refusal of the Environment Ministry to give money for raising the eco-task forces, but he went ahead with the project by spending money from the state budget.

''My government had sent a request to the Centre for a fund of Rs four crore in April this year, but the Ministry of Environment have turned it down citing lack of funds as the reason," Maj Gen B C Khanduri said.

''We have decided to create two task forces each in Kumaon and Garhwal to protect forests,'' he added.

Pointing out that every family in Uttarakhand has more than two soldiers, he said anything done for their welfare would naturally improve the lot of so many others.

The Chief Minister said he planned to raise four eco-task forces more but could not do it due to lack of cooperation from the Ministry of Environment.

He said his government was giving prime importance to the protection and conservation of the environment of the hilly state.

UNI