GUWAHATI, June 5 � The Pollution Control Board, Assam (PCBA), in association with the Forest Department and the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) celebrated the World Environment Day by holding the State-level function at the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra today.
On the occasion, a plantation programme was done at the Kalakshetra campus by Forest Minister Rakibul Hussain, the chief guest, in presence of PCCF VK Visnoi along with other dignitaries and a large number of school students.
Hussain also launched an anti-vehicular pollution campaign initiated by the PCBA through poster display in vehicles to enhance public awareness about the impact of vehicular pollution and its health hazards. The programme will continue for a week in about 200 vehicles in the city.
A streetplay on �Plastic Pollution� was also organised by the PCBA with the support of an NGO, PATHIK. The streetplay was enacted at three other locations, viz., Ganeshguri, Chandmari and near Rabindra Bhawan. The keynote address at the main function was delivered by HC Dutta, Director, ASTEC. He dwelt on the impact of climate change, and rising sea level and displacement of people living near the sea.
The Forest Minister delivered his speech on the theme of this year�s World Environment Day, �Small Island, Developing States and Climate Change�, emphasising on conservation of forests and wildlife by educating the new generation, especially schoolchildren. He also stressed on the need for plantation drives and making children aware of its positive impact.
Dr AK Misra, professor of Chemical Engineering Department, Assam Engineering College, delivered his lecture on this year�s World Environment Day theme. He also spoke on the river island, Majuli, and its vulnerability due to climate change by explaining the relationship between the environment and pollution, biodiversity and ecological balance.
Prof Misra stressed the moral responsibility of all the people towards 52 small island groups which are vulnerable due to rising sea level. He urged people to become global citizens and adopt environment-friendly means. In this regard, he put forward 21 environment-friendly green ways to the children.
The PCBA had also conducted a drawing and painting competition on June 1 among school students in three groups, and the prizes were distributed to the winners in today�s function by the minister.
The vote of thanks was given by Dr RM Dubey, Chairman, PCBA. He also made an environment-friendly statement � �Eat, what your grandmother feeds you� � stressing on the importance of using locally available food having low carbon and water footprints and suiting one�s body.
