Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday called upon the people of Punjab to bring an attitudinal change towards the conservation and protection of environment on the one hand and develop a sense of environmental responsibility to address the issues of environmental pollution on the other.

In a message on the eve of World Environment Day, Badal asked the social, voluntary, religious and Non-Governmental Organisations to come forward and play a pro-active role to promote awareness among the masses to sensitise them about the pollution free environment and hazards of climate change. “Development and environment should go hand in hand. Sustainable development is the new paradigm and everyone should follow the path of sustainable development in right earnest,” said Badal.

Badal pointed out that conservation and protection of environment and love for nature had always been an integral part of Indian ethos and culture and it was our sacred duty to perpetuate this grand legacy to our future generations. “Let us take a solemn pledge on this day to make Punjab clean and green, added the Chief Minister.

Pledge to save earth, Hooda urges people

Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday urged the people to pledge to save the earth and pursue sustainable strategies that contribute to mitigating the climate change.

In a message issued here on Thursday on the eve of the World Environment Day, the Chief Minister appealed to industries and the mining community to take care of the environmental issues not for the sake of abiding by the environmental laws only, but also taking it as a mission of service to the humanity.

He said that the agenda for the World Environment Day this year is to give human face to environmental issues and empower the people to become active agents in promoting sustainable and equitable development, which will ensure that nations and the mankind enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

He said that being fully conscious of its responsibility towards conservation of environment, the present Haryana Government is giving top priority to ensuring green and clean environment in the State. It has adopted a three-pronged long-term strategy to combat climate change by bringing more areas under the forest/green cover and constantly monitoring the air and river waters.