GUWAHATI, June 5 - The World Environment Day was celebrated across the city along with the rest of the State today in consonance with this year�s global theme �Zero tolerance for Illegal Wildlife Trade.�
New recruits of Assam Police joined hands to learn about Nature and care for the environment through an awareness event organized by Aaranyak in collaboration with Assam chapter of Institution of Engineers and 4th APBn authorities in Guwahati.
A plantation programme at the 4th APBN campus was followed by a meeting on this year�s global theme.
Partha Sarathi Mahanta, Commandant of 4th APBN led the attendees in taking a green oath to protect the environment. Purnima Devi Barman, was recently awarded the prestigious �India Biodiversity Award 2016� by UNDP, played an active role. P Adhikari of the Institution of Engineers, Assam Chapter, encouraged the recruits to do their part to ensure wildlife protection. Dr Bibhab Kr Talukdar, secretary general and CEO of Aaranyak, also spoke.
The Assam Real Estate & Infrastructure Developers� Association (AREIDA), which had last year embarked on a massive plantation programme to support the initiative launched by the Government and planted 10,000 saplings provided by the Forest Department, said that its care and effort resulted in the success of the endeavour, with a survival rate of 91.2 per cent of the saplings planted.
AREIDA stated that it was prepared for a larger plantation programme, but was constrained as the Forest Department nurseries ran out of saplings.
Around 200 students from Class VI-X including scouts of Don Bosco School, Panbazar, Guwahati, led by its Principal Fr Sebastian Mathew marched through the main thoroughfares of Panbazar carrying placards and banners creating awareness and public opinion on the environment on the morning of June 4.
According to Fr Sebastian Mathew, the main objective of the rally was to create awareness about the environment, especially the harmful effects of plastics. The eco rally was organized by the Don Bosco Eco Club on the eve of the World Environment Day under the leadership senior teachers Riina Dey and Reita Bhattacharjee. Street plays on environmental awareness were also organized by the students in front of Nehru Park, Food Villa and other strategic points of Panbazar.
Children of Tipam Enclave, Gandhibasti, celebrated the day by planting saplings near a level-crossing of the locality. Saplings were distributed in the neighbourhoods of Gandhibasti as well.
Mahabahu � Bond of Unity today organized a plantation drive to mark the day. Its members along with students of Amalprabha Das High School, Lalmati, planted saplings inside the school campus and along the Basistha-Lokhra Road stretch.
Fransalian Agency for Social Care and Education India in collaboration with the Centre for Environment Education also celebrated the day. It was marked by an awareness rally and planting and distribution of saplings.
The rally was flagged off from Narengi near LG Tower by Madan Ch Kalita, OC, Satgaon PS, and culminated in the SFS HS School campus.
The State Bank of India initiative of caring for Nature was successfully implemented by observing the World Environment Day at the Ministers� residential colony inside the Dispur capital complex. Pramila Rani Brahma, Minister for Forest & Environment, Assam, along with Ranjit Dutta, Minister for Handloom & Textiles, attended the occasion as chief guests, and planted saplings as part of the programme.
Brahma, in her speech stressed the need for celebrating such events to generate awareness amongst the common public about environmental issues and encourage common people from different societies and communities to actively participate in Nature conservation. Harihar Patnaiak, AGM, SBI also spoke.
Pragjyoti Communications observed the day near Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. A meeting held on the occasion was attended by the first Assamese Everester Tarun Saikia, Mayong�s traditional King Tarani Singha, Pragjyoti Communications chairman Dipanka Hazarika and teachers and students of Mayong ME and High schools. Programmes held on the occasion included quiz, drawing contest, interactive sessions, etc. A souvenir Pobitora was also released.
