Mysore, June 5 (MTY&DM)-Jathas and tree-planting marked World Environment Day celebration in city today.
The theme of World Environment Day 2010 is "Many Species. One Planet. One Future."
Deputy Commissioner Harsha Gupta flagged off a cycle rally at the DC office premises under the joint auspices of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and Zoo.
About 100 cyclists, accompanied by about 500 students and other citizens, all wearing white T-shirts and caps, went in a procession from the DC office to the Zoo premises where a function was held to distribute prizes to the winners of painting contest held as part of environment day in Karanji Lake on May 30. Corporation Health Officer Dr. Nagaraj and others were present.
The city-based Organisation for the Development of People (ODP) also took out an Environmental Awareness Rally (Parisara Jaagruti Jaatha) from Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple to the Town Hall.
Bishop Rev. Dr. Thomas Anthony Vazhapilly inaugurated the procession in which more than 1500 ODP members and public took part.
The procession passed through K.R. Circle before culminating at the Town Hall. DCF Sashwathi Mishra and ODP Director Fr. J.B. Xavier took part.
A tableaux explaining the importance of environment awareness and the adverse effects of deforestation, mounted on a tractor-trailer too was part of the procession, which was followed by an 'Environment awareness' programme at the Town Hall.
The DCF, who inaugurated the programme by planting a sapling, said it was delightful to note that women are taking active part in environment conservation. Every member of ODP, which has 36,000 members should take an initiative for planting saplings in farm lands in their respective towns and villages, she observed.
The Karnataka Government, on realising the importance of people's involvement in environmental conservation, has come up with a unique plan of forming Village Forest Committees by effecting changes to the Forest Act. The formation of Village Forest Committees will enable the govt. to help conserve nature with people's participation, she added.
Courtesy : Star Of Mysore