Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 5: Various Government and other organizations conducted different programmes to mark the observance of World Environment Day at different places.
Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Choudhary Lal Singh today said that greater public participation is imperative for preserving green cover and protecting environment.
The Minister said this while addressing Forest Officers and Engineers at The Institute of Engineers at Channi Himmat in Jammu today.
Underscoring the importance of conserving forests, the Minister called for generating mass awareness among the people regarding hazardous impacts on environmental degradation due to deforestation. Lal Singh while emphasizing on carrying out massive plantation drive to maintain fragile ecological balance, directed the officers of the department to sensitize people regarding harmful impacts of environmental degradation and measures to protect our environment.
Underlining the need for putting in collective efforts for protecting our environment, the Minister said that conservation of forests is necessary to combat the issues of global warming, soil erosion, pollution, maintenance of biodiversity and ecological balances.
He further said the Government has taken several initiatives for conservation of forests and stress is being laid on increased survival of the plants being planted. Chief Conservator of Forests Roshan Jaggi, Chief Conservator of Eco-tourism and Wildlife Protection A K Gupta, Chairman Institute of Engineers Ajay Gupta, former Chairman PCB, Dr C M Seth, Member Regional Empowered Committee, Northern Region, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change GoI, Er V N Sharma besides others were present on the occasion.
The Department of Environmental Sciences of Central University Jammu in collaboration with INTACH, Jammu Chapter celebrated the Day at its Temporary Academic Block (TAB), Sainik Colony. Prof Ashok Aima, Vice Chancellor CUJ, who was the chief guest, laid emphasis on conservation and protection of environment. Chief Conservator of Forests Jammu, Roshan Jaggi was guest of honour. He also stressed that there should be strong water policy along with the forest policy to ensure safe drinking water for each individual.
Directorate of Environment and Remote Sensing celebrated the Day on the theme, “Zero tolerance for the illegal wildlife trade with the slogan ‘Go Wild for Life’, at Environmental Park, Raika (Jammu). S D Swatantra, former PCCF was the chief guest and S C Sharma, former CCF the special guest. Usha Anand, Principal Environment Educational Institute presented welcome address and threw light on the theme. Students took out environment rally. They also presented group songs. A debate was conducted in which Ramsha stood first, Sakshi bagged second place and Vishaka stood third. The winning students were presented prizes. G D Chalotra, Environmental Soil Conservationist presented vote of thanks.
A plantation drive was organized by INS Zamorin at Ezhimala under which 35000 plants and saplings of numerous categories including fruit and herbals were planted which were sourced from the Social Forestry Department, Government of Kerala. The drive was inaugurated by Rear Admiral MD Suresh, NM, Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor Indian Naval Academy by planting a sapling. Rear Admiral KS Venugopal, Principal, INA, Captain Kamlesh Kumar, Station Commander, Ezhimala, all senior Naval Officers and their families were present.
Army organized an event on the eve of World Environment Day at Darhal, which was inaugurated by Sarpanch Parvez Malik, who also spoke on the importance of the Day. During the event a few activities like school rallies, tree plantation and Swacch Bharat Abhiyan were also carried out in order to draw people’s attention towards environmental issues.
World Environment Day was also celebrated at Salal Power Station, Jyotipuram. Nasreen Ansari and A G Ansari General Manager Salal Power Station planted a sapling followed by plantation of saplings by Mrs and Sri Prakash, Chief Engineer (civil), A Z Geelani, Chief Engineer (Electric), Navdeep Singh, Commandant CISF, other senior officers, employees and ladies from NHPC Family. Speaking on the occasion Mr Ansari requested all employees to take care of the saplings planted so that initiative taken persists and contributes for better environment.
Powergrid Corporation of India, Northern Region-II, Jammu, in collaboration with J&K Forests Department celebrated the Day by organizing various programmes including tree plantation and inter school painting competition. Plantation was carried out in the vicinity of Powergrid office and township whereas the painting competition was organized in the community centre of Powergrid. Plantation drive was led by Chief Conservator of Forests Roshan Jaggi and General Manager of Powergrid Amarjit GM (Consultancy), S D Joshi GM (Projects), B M Sharma, Conservator of Forests Jammu (East), S Bharti Conservator Jammu (West), Chief Manager HR Powergrid, R Narayan and others. On the occasion a painting competition was also organized. The painting material and tools were provided to children by organizers.
Similar activities were undertaken in all the site offices in Powergrid NR-II. Debates, painting contests, plantation drives etc were carried out to sensitize the people on need for conserving our environmental wealth.
District administration Reasi launched “Green Mission” to mark celebrations of the Day. The mission was launched by DDC Reasi Ravinder Kumar by planting a sapling at DC Office complex, SP Office, Police Line and Gujjar-Bakarwal Hostel Talwara. An oath to protect the trees and the environment was also administered to all present on the occasion. The DDC informed that under Green Mission various activities to improve environment and generate mass awareness about environment conservation and greening of the region would be carried out throughout the district.
Forest Division Rajouri celebrated the Day with 63 RR Army Unit. DFO Rajouri Anup Soni and Range Officer Kalakote Vinay Khajuria coordinated the programme with Col N S Maan. The programme started with plantation of saplings at different locations like Tattapani, Meari, Potha, Sial Sui, Moghla, Bandi Galla, Kalakote and Argi in Army areas, forest land, Primary Health Centres, Police Stations and Government institutions. In total 2000 saplings of Shisham, Chir, Khair, Amla and Kalyar were planted with great enthusiasm.
First Step Tutorial Janipur, Director Viney Gupta and students of the tutorial planted saplings. Viney Gupta motivated the students to plant more trees in order to make the surroundings green. A nature walk for the students and a ‘best out of waste’ activity was also carried out.
Atleast 300 students of Ramban today vowed to plant one tree each, avoid cutting a tree and keep their surroundings clean As a part of World Environment Day celebrations. DFO Ramban Ashok Kalsi advised the students to take seedlings of plants from his department and plant at least a tree each in school or homes. Various other activities were also carried out on the day.
Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action (ICELA), J&K Chapter organized a seminar here today to mark the Day. Convenor ICELA, Ashok Sharma, speaking on the occasion demanded establishment of a Bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) at Jammu and setting up of Environmental Courts in the State. He also stressed for enforcing a complete ban on green felling and launching a massive afforestation campaign in the entire State to enhance green cover and restore and rejuvenate denuded forests. Among others who spoke were Harbans Lal, H C Jalmeria, Sanjay Matyhur, H S Billouria, Sat Paul Sharma, Zahis Malik, Abrar Khan, Ashwani Sharma, Ram Parkash, Devinder Singh Jamwal, R P Sharma, Dewan Chand, Arvind Jamwal, Arjun Sharma and Saurav Sharma.
A NGO ‘Jiyo Aur Jeene Do’ organized a plantation drive at Kabristan, Adarsh Colony Udhampur with a message to spread greenery. President of the NGO Tariq Shah appealed one and all that all elderly and other family members are at rest in the graveyard and planting one tree here would be a small step to associate them with the environment.
NILM also organized a plantation drive which was inaugurated by its director Rakeshwar Singh. The drive was launched by the NGO in association with Social Forestry Department.
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