Port Blair, April 22: The Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970s in the United States to acknowledge the growing consciousness towards environmental safety. Today about 192 countries have come together to celebrate this Day as the single largest secular observance worldwide for emphasizing the need to take protective and safety measures against environmental degradation. Various activities are taken up on this Day to create awareness and strength commitment for saving the Planet Earth, viz., planting trees, saving on electricity, reducing usage of non-renewable sources of energy, cleanliness drives, etc. The Division of forest Extension and Publicity, Department of Environment and Forests celebrated the Earth Day on 22.04.2016. Banners were put up across the city of Port Blair to highlight the importance of sustaining green cover.
A cleanliness drive for one hour was carried out along the Foreshore Road from 0630 hours to 0730 hours by the staff of the Forest Extension and Publicity, Silviculture and Wildlife-I divisions led by Mr Rajesh, the Chief Conservator of Forests (Research and Working Plan). Mr. Someshwar Rao, the Councillor of the Ward-II, Haddo, also participated in the cleanliness drive. The effort was doubled up by the self-motivated and enthused participation of morning walkers and nearby residents.
The team collected materials, including the toxic plastic articles, rubber, clothes, rags, sacks, etc. that got beached as well as dumped over time. Mr Rajesh explained the meaning of Earth Day and the importance of celebrating it worldwide. He stressed on the importance of having a green cover and taking care of our Earth by growing more trees, saving electricity, reduce-rescue-recycle waste, restricting use of bio-degradable material like plastic and proper disposal of these, etc. He also implored the gathering to come forward and join hands with the Department of Environment and Forests to achieve a safer environment as we do not have another Earth. A Ceremonial Tree Planting was also done in line with the theme of this year, “Trees for the Earth”, to pledge the conviction of the Public and the Department of Environment and Forests towards Environmental Conservation.
All islanders have been requested to refrain from dumping wastes in the sea and coasts and channelling sewage into the sea so as to safeguard the ecosystem and marine life.
