The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : People urged to work together to protect the environment

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Sunday, Jun 07, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

People urged to work together to protect the environment

Staff Reporter

Over 1,500 students from 16 schools plant saplings in Collectorate complex

Students should be encouraged to take part in eco-conservation, says Namakkal Collector
Cloth bags with messages about global warming distributed to students in Salem

NAMAKKAL: Collector U. Sagayam called upon the people to extend their wholehearted support for the massive tree plantation programme and work together to protect the environment.

Inaugurating a tree planting exercise organised as part of World Environment Day celebrations at the Collectorate complex here on Friday, the Collector said that the administration launched the tree planting programme in October 2008 with the objective of planting over one crore saplings in different parts of the district.

Students, elected representatives, members of non-governmental and voluntary organisations, self-help groups and clubs were brought together for the implementation of the programme.

Over 4.5 lakh saplings were planted in various parts of the district under the programme till the present date.

On Friday, over 1,500 students from 16 schools in the district assembled in the Collectorate complex to participate in the tree planting exercise.

They planted over 1,200 saplings in the complex.

Mr. Sagayam pointed out that every citizen in the country has the responsibility to protect Mother Earth.

Students should be encouraged to participate in the environmental conservation activities.

Teachers and parents should help them develop a better understanding with Nature.

Later, the Collector distributed prizes to the students.

District Revenue Officer G. Govindaraj and senior officials from various departments participated in the programme.

In Salem

In Salem, World Environment Day was celebrated at the Salem Steel Plant on Friday.

Plant Executive Director B.B. Singh hoisted the Environment Flag at the Works Office premises of the plant in the presence of plant officials and employees.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Singh said that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has chosen the theme for 2009 as “Your Planet Needs You! Unite to combat climate change”.

The communities should play an important role to ensure a safer world.

They should change their attitude towards environmental issues and work hard to promote sustainable and equitable development.

He stressed that people have a moral responsibility to leave behind a sustainable environment for the coming generation.

Mr. Singh also highlighted the measures taken by the Salem Steel Plant for environmental conservation, such as afforestation, reduction of solid waste, installation of total acid recovery system and reverse osmosis system.

Mr. Singh also flagged off an environment walk at the Stainless Cultural Centre of the plant.

A large number of students of Sri Vidya Mandir Matriculation Higher Secondary School, members of its Eco Club, carrying placards with slogans highlighting the need for protection of environment, participated in the walk. A mass tree planting was also conducted as a part of the event.

The plant also conducted programmes such as quiz at the Panchayat Union Middle School in Parakallur village.

Meanwhile, Appsamy Hospital and Karpaga Vinayagar Friends Forum organised a World Environment Day programme in Attaiyampatti Girls Higher Secondary School.

Cloth bags printed with messages about global warming and ill effects of using plastic containers were distributed to over 1,500 students in the school.

Speaking in the programme, Dr. Kumaran Appusamy explained about the global warming and carbon emission.

He stressed the importance of promoting the use of renewable energy sources.

Teachers and staff of the school also attended the programme.

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