Jaipur, June 6 -- Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Thursday called on people to work towards conserving nature as it is not merely an option but an urgent necessity. "It is a moral responsibility and duty to safeguard the environment and mitigate the impacts of climate change," Sharma said while addressing a state-level event in Jaipur, on the occasion of World Environment Day. Highlighting Rajasthan's rich traditions of water conservation, Sharma said that these practices form an integral part of the state's cultural heritage. "In this desert land, our ancestors treated water as sacred and devised ingenious ways to conserve it. Structures like baoris (stepwells), johads (traditional ponds), tanks, and wells are living examples of Rajasthan's ancient water management wisdom," he said. Speaking on the recently launched "Vande Ganga Jal Sanrakshan-Jan Abhiyan" in Rajasthan, he said, the scheme aims to promote water conservation through the construction of water harvesting structures, cleaning and restoration of traditional water sources, and awareness campaigns in both urban and rural areas. "The goal is to ensure that the message of environmental and water conservation reaches every village and city in the state," he added. The chief minister also inaugurated the "Satat Prayas - Harit Vikas" (Sustained Efforts for Green Development) exhibition during the event and reviewed various environmental initiatives. Several new programmes to combat the effects of climate change were launched or laid the foundation for during the occasion. "Protecting the environment is our shared responsibility, and each step we take today will secure a better tomorrow," he said. On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, to develop the Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2030 for the state. Besides, a tripartite MoU was signed between the Department of Environment & Climate Change, State Pollution Control Board, JPAL SA, and EPIC for the implementation of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Another MoU was also signed between the State Pollution Control Board and IITM, Pune to establish an Early Warning System for Alwar and Bhiwadi. Minister of state for forests and environment Sanjay Sharma said that the state is working with strong commitment to realise the vision of a "Greener Rajasthan" through sustained green efforts. Under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" (One Tree in Mother's Name) campaign, more than 72.2 million saplings have been planted - exceeding the targets set by both the central and state governments. He added that the forest department is ensuring the protection of these saplings through a three-tier monitoring system. With the newly launched "Beed Papad Safari", the minister said Jaipur has now become the only district in the country to host three leopard safaris, along with lion and tiger safaris. Highlighting the success of the state's conservation efforts, Sharma said the number of tigers in Rajasthan has now increased to 140, thanks to the efficient management by the state government. Chief secretary Sudhansh Pant highlighted the importance of a circular economy, stating that every item should be recycled to prevent wastage of resources. He stressed the need to move away from the "use and throw" culture and encouraged adopting small, mindful actions for environmental sustainability....