Chhattisgarh is Carving a New Identity in the Green Economy: Chief Minister
Raipur, March 13, 2026// Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that Chhattisgarh is a power engine of the country’s economy and is steadily strengthening its role in the field of the green economy. He made these remarks while addressing the 2nd Chhattisgarh Green Summit held at the auditorium of Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University in Raipur.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Shri Sai said the relevance of the Green Summit in Chhattisgarh lies in bringing policymakers, industry representatives, academic institutions, researchers and environmentalists onto a common platform to deliberate on important issues. He noted that the climate crisis is intensifying and stressed that it is necessary not only to discuss environmental protection but also to put those ideas into practical action.
Chief Minister said the double-engine government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has always supported development while preserving heritage. He said an environmentally responsible lifestyle has been part of India’s tradition for thousands of years, and the government is taking concrete policy measures to protect it.
He further added that Chhattisgarh is a major centre for steel production in the country and innovations such as green steel are being adopted to reduce the carbon footprint in this sector. Referring to the Indian Forest Survey Report 2023, he said Chhattisgarh has secured the first position in the country in terms of growth in combined forest and tree cover. He added that this achievement reflects not only government policies but also the awareness and environmental responsibility of the people of the state.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said the solar rooftop scheme is enabling consumers to become energy producers, while sectors such as bio-ethanol are opening up significant investment opportunities. He noted that the state government is promoting environmental awareness through campaigns such as “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”.
He said that in Indian culture, the Earth is regarded as a ‘Mother’, making it the responsibility of every citizen to protect ecological balance and the planet’s health while using natural resources. He added that the state government has implemented an e-office system across departments, which has reduced paper consumption while saving time and resources.
Chief Minister also noted that Chhattisgarh is a tribal-dominated State with nearly 44 percent of its area covered by forests. In tribal regions, trees are worshipped as Sarna (sacred deities), and such sacred groves are also recorded as religious sites in revenue records. He said the tribal community offers a natural example of living in harmony with nature and protecting it.
He said the state’s new industrial policy places special emphasis on green initiatives and provides incentives to industries adopting environmentally sustainable practices. At the Chhattisgarh Green Summit, he called upon citizens to actively participate in environmental protection and incorporate such efforts into their daily lives.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also released three publications related to the summit — “Abstract”, a compilation of research presented at the conference; “Highlights of the Summit”, summarising key discussions; and “Katha Kanthali”, a book based on tribal stories and traditions.
Among those present were Meghalaya Lokayukta Shri C. P. Marak, Vice-Chancellor of Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University Dr. Sachchidanand Shukla, PCCF V. Srinivas Rao, VIBGYOR Foundation President Shri Shankhdeep Choudhary, along with subject experts, professors, scholars and a large number of students.