Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said one tree is treated as equal to 100 sons in the Indian culture. Yadav made the remark at a prize distribution ceremony on the occasion of World Environment Day on Thursday.

One Babdi (stepwell) is equal to ten wells, and ten Babdis are equal to a pond, he said. Ten ponds are equal to a son, and one tree is equal to 100 sons, he said.

In the present situation, it is necessary to restore Indian culture and ancient knowledge, he said. There are talks about recycling and reuse of plastics, but everyone must think about handing over a clean environment to the next generation, he said.

Yadav said, “Everyone must reduce the use of plastics. The government is planning to encourage environmentally friendly industries.” The government is working on the zero-emission policy, he said, adding that 75,000 ponds have been constructed under the Jal Ganga Abhiyan.

The farmers draw benefits from the construction of a dam because it increases the area of irrigation, Yadav said. The first river-linking project is underway in MP, he said, adding that there is nothing wrong if another state gets more water.

Benevolence is the key to the Indian culture, he said. The Chief Minister also inaugurated a portal, Paryayvaran Prabandhan. Yadav gave away annual environmental prizes for 2022-23 and 2023-24.