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‘Earth Hour' campaign to be observed tomorrow

BHUBANESWAR: Joining the global campaign to become responsible on consumption and conservation of energy, the State Energy Department has requested all departments to contribute one hour to switch off lights as part ‘Earth Hour' campaign to be observed on Saturday.

The request was circulated among departments such as the Orissa Power Transmission Corporation Limited, Orissa Power Generation Corporation, Orissa Hydro Power Corporation, Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission and four electricity distribution companies.

C. P. Mohanty, additional secretary, to Energy Department, however, said compliance was not mandatory. Organisations should voluntarily join the campaign for sending out a strong message on climate change, Mr. Mohanty said.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was requested by WWF-India – an advocacy group on nature conservation and environment protection - to support the campaign by encouraging citizens, communities and local institutions in the State to participate.

The group requested that non-essential lights in the State, especially cities that consume substantial wattages of power, be switched off from 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

It claimed over six million people across India participated in the Earth Hour campaign last year. The Earth Hour movement in 2009, 5 million Indians across 56 cities showed their support by switching off non-essential lights , according to the organisation.

Last year, organisations supporting the cause had invented several ideas for spending the one hour in darkness - from sharing experience on energy conservation on social networking to hosting a family gathering and from gazing stars for one hour in park to throwing candlelight dinners.

Several organisations and citizens' associations are getting prepared to organise similar motivational programmes this year too.

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