Bhubaneswar: CM Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday said forests are the foundation of life and livelihood, stressing the need to protect and expand green cover while maintaining a balance between environment and industrialization.Addressing the state-level International Forest Day-2026 function here, Majhi said the aim was to increase public awareness about the importance of forests, conservation and climate change.He said Odisha has emerged as a leading state in forest conservation and green belt creation through effective forest management, large-scale plantation drives and public participation. The Chief Minister said that an increase of 558 sq km has been recorded in the forest and tree area in the state in the last two years.According to him, forests and trees are now spread over 58,597 square kilometres, which is 37.63 per cent of the total geographical area of ​​Odisha. He said that under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, more than 1.49 crore saplings were planted in a single day, while more than 8 crore saplings were planted in a year.Majhi said advances in science and technology have made it possible to pursue industrialization in less space and without harming the environment. He said that environment and industrial development can complement each other if managed with the right balance.Referring to this year’s theme, “Forests and Economy”, the CM said that forests are important not only for ecological security but also for the development of the state and the country. He said Odisha has launched extensive programs to transform forests into a major source of livelihood and called for collective support to strengthen these efforts.Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia said the Center has consistently emphasized on the development of rural and forest-dwelling communities. He said that the department is working to improve the lives and livelihood of people living near forests and creating alternative livelihood opportunities in tribal dominated districts.Chief Secretary Anu Garg said Odisha has set major targets for 2036 and 2047 and aims at economic growth as well as large-scale employment generation. He said the state planned to generate 25 lakh jobs in the tourism sector, in which the forest department was expected to play an important role. He said that forests should be developed not only as an ecological asset but also as an economic asset, with greater focus on green economy.