Chandigarh, April 22: On the occasion of World Earth Day, 200 students from KB DAV Senior Secondary School, Moti Ram Arya Senior Secondary School, Saint Soldier International School, volunteers of Yuvsatta, Greenpeace and staff of the Department of Environment, Chandigarh Administration, picked up litter including — empty cold drink and juice cans, ice-cream cups, packaging material, pan-gutka sachets — from the periphery of Sukhna Lake.
Speaking on the occasion, director of the Department of Environment Ishwar Singh said April 22 is observed as World Earth Day to spread and strengthen the movement to make this world a better place to live in. Today’s cleanliness drive at Sukhna Lake will strengthen the will of the youth to save our precious environment, he said. Chandigarh is a beautiful city and landmarks like the Lake enhance it’s beauty; the residents should do their best to maintain the city, he added.
The in-charge of the Greentire-Cycle Promotion Programme of Yuvsatta, Vikramjit Singh, regretted that although there is a penalty of Rs 500 on visitors who litter public places, no one from the Municipal Corporation ever bothered to cut a single challan at the Lake for such violations.
Yuvsatta co-ordinator Pramod Sharma added that besides being ugly, the waste in the form of polythene bags, cups and bottles thrown by visitors gradually slips into the Lake and settles at the bottom. This continues to obstruct the seepage of water underground.
On the occasion, students were also provided information material about World Earth Day.
World Earth Day celebrated
SAS NAGAR: MORE than 260 students of different vocational courses and 50 men and women from rural areas today participated in events held by the Jan Shikshan Sansthan, Mohali, to celebrate the World Earth Day.
JSS director Dildar Khan, speaking on the occasion, said the objective of this programme was to sensitise and create awareness among the youth and common people about various issues creating tremendous pressure on the Earth. Khan said air pollution levels of Chandigarh at times reach up to 162-165 SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter) during busy hours.
‘‘This level of pollution accentuates conditions for creating diseases related to breathing,’’ he said. JSS Programme Officer Anand Mohan Sharma raised the issue of growing population.
Tree plantation drive organised on Earth Day
To commemorate Earth Day, a tree plantation drive was undertaken by the Chandigarh Postal Division.
About 25 trees were planted in the premises of Meghdoot Postal Colony, Sector 37. The drive was inaugurated by Director of Postal Services (HQ) Punjab Circle, Sukhwinder Kaur, who planting an Amltas sapling.
