State Bureau, Lucknow. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said in the 20th meeting of the State Wildlife Council on Monday that greenery should not be cut unnecessarily in the name of development. Consider wetland as natural heritage.

Rules should be strictly followed in all proposed development and construction work in sensitive areas. In the process of development, protection of wildlife, their natural movement and habitat continuity should be given top priority.

CM said that while sending any proposal, the concerned departments should submit a detailed and scientific analysis of environmental risks, possible impact on bio-diversity, wildlife movement, alternative routes and modern technical solutions.

Decisions on various development projects in various wildlife areas were also taken in the meeting. A total of 12 new proposals were presented before the Council, which included various projects like road widening, establishment of petrol pumps and fuel stations, tube well pressure system, underground pipelines, mobile towers, optical fiber cables and construction of approach roads.

These proposals are related to wildlife sensitive areas and eco-sensitive zones of various districts including Etawah, Gonda, Pilibhit, Bareilly, Banda. Projects were agreed upon in the meeting. Do not harm the environment.

Where options are available, trenchless technology, elevated structures and eco-friendly technologies should be given priority. The Chief Minister said that information has been received about accumulation of silt in some wetlands, the work of removing it immediately should be done under the ‘Developed India-Ji Ram Ji’ campaign.