Governments, organisations across India celebrate World Environment Day

NEW DELHI: The World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5, marked a day of remembering the importance of environment restoration and conservation, followed by celebrations across the world. Governments, international and non-governmental organisations from across the world celebrated the special Day in their own little ways. The All India Institute of Local Self Government marked the day by planting a total of 696 trees at various locations across the country with the help of its regional centres. The Institute also encouraged its students to do the same.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid out a plan for 20 per cent ethanol blending by 2025. This has been done, he said, keeping in mind the importance of using environment-friendly fuels in averting the disastrous effects of climate change. He added that this will also give a huge boost to the Indian agriculture sector. A national meeting celebrating the World Environment Day was also organised, which was chaired by Prime Minister Modi, and attended by students and staff of the Indian Plywood Industries Research and Training Institute, an autonomous body of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. An address by Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, calling leaders of the world to work on environment conservation was also broadcast live during the online event.

The staff at Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh took up the task of cleaning a 45 kilometre stretch of the Banjar River. The staff was joined by 11 teams of NGOs and residents of nearby villages and cities.

The Government of Uttarakhand celebrated the Day with a webinar, in collaboration with the International Conference for Fire and Rescue Executives. The webinar talked of the need to conserve forests and the natural biodiversity of the state in order to ensure that forest fires are reduced and that those that do occur are controlled well in time. The Government of Himachal Pradesh spread awareness of the importance of environment among the children with the help of painting, essay and slogan writing competitions. The Institute of Forest Biodiversity, Hyderabad, celebrated the occasion with a plantation drive which was attended by dignitaries like BMK Reddy, Chairman, Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board.