World Environment Day was celebrated jointly by State Council for Science Technology and Environment and Department of Environment with the association of Education Department here today by organizing Rallies of school children, Painting, Slogan and Fabric Writing, Quiz and Extempore Competition and a meaningful Cultural Programme on the theme of Environment Protection which marked the occasion. Chief Secretary Rajwant Sandhu presided over the State level World Environment Day function.
Addressing the State level function, Chief Secretary said that ‘’ Reduce, Re-use and Recycle ‘’ was the mantra for environment management. She said that protection of flora and fauna, water and energy conservation and rain-water harvesting were essential to combat the effects of global warming. Chief Secretary further added that efforts should be made to increase the green cover and aggressive ‘’city greening’’ campaigns could help in maintaining ecological balance besides compensating for the consequences of rapid urbanization. She said that development was an unstoppable and ongoing process; however it should go along with a pragmatic environment protection strategy.
She said children are ‘’ environment soldiers ‘’ and can play an important role in generating awareness about environment protection in the society. She said that children and youth should actively participate in the environment protection campaigns and added that the anti plastic and anti polythene campaigns of the state government were huge success due to their massive support. She also stressed upon including environment related subjects in the school curriculum to make students more aware and added that regular discussions and debates on the subject should be organized in educational institutions.
Chief Secretary administered Environment Pledge on the occasion and also gave away prizes to the winners of various competitions.
Earlier Additional Chief Secretary Sudripta Roy welcomed Rajwant Sandhu and detailed out the steps being taken by the state government to preserve the environment. He said that protecting forests was important for sustainable development. He said that the state won accolades for its initiatives of banning plastic bags and polythene and added that more such steps were needed to preserve the ecology.
Principal Secretary Education Dr Shrikant Baldi said that 3000 eco clubs have been formed in the schools across the state and added that “environment pledge” was being administered in schools to reiterate the commitment of the youth and children towards preserving the nature. Principal Secretary Tourism Manisha Nanda, said that the natural grandeur of Himachal Pradesh attracted lakhs of tourists every year which should be protected to boost the tourism industry in the state.
GSSS, Lalpani, Shimla, Central School for Tibetans, Shimla, Govt. High School, Kaithu, Shimla won 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes for Best Clean and Green School competition under Govt. School Category whereas Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, Convent of Jesus and Mary, Shimla, DAV, School, New Shimla won 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes and consolation prize was given away to Laureate Public School Bharari under Private School Category.
DAV New Shimla, Rastriya Vidya Kendra, Kasumpti, Monal Public School, Sanjauli won 1st , 2nd and 3rd prizes for Best School Rally Competition and Consolation Prize was given away to Arya Samaj School, Shimla.
Ms Nikita Bisht, Chapslee School, Himanshu Kashyap, Monal Public School, Jai Vijay Singh, DAV, New Shimla won 1st , 2nd and 3rd prizes for Painting Competition Senior Category and Consolation Prize was given away to Ishan Sharma, DAV Lakkar Bazar, Shimla whereas Chavi Sharma, DAV, New Shimla, Aparna Chakrvarti, Dayanand Public School, Raman Deep, DAV Lakkar Bazar won 1st , 2nd and 3rd prizes for Painting competition Junior category and Consolation Prize was given away to Paras, JCS Public School.
Auckland House Team, Auckland House, St. Edward Team, St. Edward, Chapslee Team, Chapslee won 1st , 2nd and 3rd prizes for T-Shirt Designing Competition and Consolation Prize was given away to GSSS, Chotta Shimla.
Raman Deep Sohal, DAV Lakkar Bazar, Shimla, Vijay Kumar, BSN, Chakkar, Pooja Rawat, DAV Lakkar Bazar won 1st , 2nd and 3rd prizes for Greeting Cards Designing Competition and Consolation Prize was given away to Saniya Verma, Dayanad Public School.
Rupali, Dayanad School, Arif Mohamad Khan, St. Thomas School, Nidhi, DAV New Shimla won 1st , 2nd and 3rd prizes for Ex-tempore Completion and Consolation prize was given away to Janat, Auckland House.
GHS, Kaithu, Mr. Chaman, Class 8th, GHS, Kaithu, Mr. Lalit, Class 9th, DAV, New Shimla, Ms. Vibha won 1st , 2nd and 3rd prizes for Best Slogan Writing Competition and Consolation prize was given away to Bhavya Sahni.
First and Second National Prizes for Environment Audit were given away to Govt Sen Sec Schools Rewalsar and Makereri of Mandi district.
Monal Eco Club, GSSS, Kais, Kullu, Monal Eco Club, GSSS, Makereri, Distt. Mandi, Jasmine Eco Club, GSSS (G), Palampur, Distt. Kangra won 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes for Best Eco-clubs of the State and Consolation Prize was given away to Vasundhera Eco Club for DAV School, Barmana, Bilaspur.
Prizes were also given away to the participants of various cultural programmes. Director Environment Nagin Nanda and officers of State Council for Science Technology and Environment, Department of Environment, teachers and students of local schools were also present at the occasion.
