Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Rallies, planting of saplings mark environment day

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, JUNE 5. Children took out rallies, planted saplings and distributed `green' bags to mark the World Environment Day here on Saturday.

Nearly 300 students from various city schools participated in the rally that started from Panagal building and concluded at the Birla Planetarium. It was organised by the Department of Environment and the Federation of Science Clubs of Tamil Nadu. Cultural programmes including dance, drama and `villupattu' were also organised.

NGOs and volunteers assembled at the Marina beach. Over 100 children, under the auspices of the Green AIMS Society, assembled at the Gandhi Statue beach at 5 a.m. and distributed `green' bags to morning walkers.

The programme to distribute a million biodegradable green bags to replace plastic carry bags was supported by the World Wide Fund for Nature, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the State Forest Department.

The SAP Foundation also organised a walk-a-mile event at the Marina. Scores of nature enthusiasts carried flowers, leaves and posters to symbolise the event. Mobile service provider, Airtel in tie-up with Exnora Foundation launched a greening drive at Nugambakkam and San Thome. The firm's employees and volunteers from the NGO planted saplings. Nearly 100 saplings will be planted in major towns of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Raghunath Mandava, vice-president (sales and marketing), Bharti Cellular, said the campaign was intended to promote environmental activities. M.B. Nirmal, chairman, Exnora, was also present.

Focus on lake pollution

Residents of Vijayalakshmipuram, Ambattur, highlighted their long-standing demand to undertake conservation of the Thangal Lake, which has been turned into a sewage dump.

The residents, who have been fighting for several years, appealed to the authorities to desilt the lake and open the concrete water outlets to avert further damage to the lake.

Members of Water Bodies Protection Exnora, Ambattur, alleged that groundwater in the vicinity had been polluted as wastewater from the newly constructed apartments were being let off into the lake.

The century-old lake, also known as Chithu Oragadam Eri and spread over 60 acres, was previously used for cultivation. The water body has shrunk in size and is now partly covered with hyacinth, and choked with debris.

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