Assam: Hailakandi observes World Environment Day in befitting manner
Hailakandi
Along with the rest of the world, World Environment Day was observed in a befitting manner across Hailakandi district of Assam.
The Hailakandi Forest Division organised a variety of activities including sensitizing people, communities, students, youths and the society at large for protecting the unique and life nurturing Nature by saying no to plastic and sustaining a clean, green and healthy environment.
Leading from the front, Deputy Commissioner Adil Khan urged the people for a cleaner, greener district. Khan planted sapling at SS College Road in Hailakandi town and was joined in by Superintendent of Police Mohneesh Mishra, District Development Commissioner, FR Laskar, Divisional Forest Officer NH Mazumder and other senior officials of the administration.
Following the Chief Minister’s directive, the administration created public awareness on ‘beat plastic pollution’ by splashing posters, banners and festoons across the district.
“The theme invites us all to consider how we can make changes in our everyday lives to reduce the heavy burden of plastic pollution on our natural places, our wildlife – and our own health,” said Khan.
Planting of saplings was carried out in the office premises by the district heads and employees.
“The day was celebrated by the district administration to make people aware about the environmental issues and negative changes in environment due to human activities and encourage them to be proactive in environmental protection, to make their surroundings clean and green,” said Assistant Commissioner, Parikshit Phukan.
DFO Mazumder informed that the event was observed both at the divisional and range levels in places like Panchgram, Matijuri, Garmurah, Kukicherra and Loharbond under the Hailakandi Forest Division.
Saplings were distributed by the Forest Division to NGOs like Nehru Yuva Kendra and Greens and to the educational institutions. “Apart from plantation drive, cleanliness was also carried out in Hailakandi town in association with the Hailakandi Municipal Board and in reserved forests as well,” said Mazumder, adding that around two lakh saplings would be planted in the week-long campaign beginning today.
The Day was celebrated with full enthusiasm by schools and other educational institutes in the district. Students and staff participated in plantation drives to make their surrounding green.
Ever since its conception in 1974, World Environment Day is organized around a theme that focuses attention on a particularly pressing environmental concern. The theme for this year, “Beat Plastic Pollution,” is a call to action for all of us to rise in unison to combat one of the great environmental challenges of our time.
With plastic making up ten per cent of the total waste generated, half of it used is disposable or single-use. This presents a major problem as it is non-renewable and its manufacture and destruction exposes individuals and environment to many toxins, including carcinogens.
India played host to the World Environment Day this year, which is one of the most important days observed by the UN worldwide.