With focus on air pollution, World Environment Day celebrated across State on Wednesday

CORRESPONDENTS

KALAIGAON: Bhergaon SDO (C) office observed World Environment Day on Wednesday in its office campus. An open meeting was held in the SDO (C) office campus and this meeting was presided over by Gakul Ch. Brahma, SDO (C) of Bhergaon subdivision. Addressing the meeting, Brahma spoke about the significance of World Environment Day. After that Brahma inaugurated the plantation drive and his staff planted saplings in the office campus. Nerswan Baro, Deputy Speaker of BTC, took part in this programme as chief guest.

DIGBOI: In tune with the rest of the countries across the globe, team AOD Digboi Refinery also kick-started its awareness programme on the occasion of World Environment Day. The entire run-up to the mega event comprised of various activities like inter-school debate competition, extempore speech, art and painting competition, marathon race for the youth, All Assam Prize Money Quiz, school awareness programmes, tree plantation by school children, release of fishlings, an environmental fair and educational exhibition.

In a formal valedictory function held at the AOD golden jubilee complex on Wednesday evening, ‘Forest Man of India’ Padmashree Jadav Payeng was felicitated by SS John, the Executive Director, AOD Digboi, in presence of Prof. Ranjit Tamuli, Vice-Chancellor of Dibrugarh University, Manik Saikia, GM I/C TS & HSE, officials, volunteers, academicians and school children.

With the aim of involving a larger section of the society to be a part of the noble cause and support in spreading environmental awareness, an environmental fair ‘Paribesh Mela’ was also held during the day. Students, volunteers and representatives of various non-governmental organizations participated in this fair and showcased their environment-friendly consumer goods and models of green living and vital information. Earlier, Padmashree Jadav Payeng along with other dignitaries and 300 school children participated in a significant tree plantation and subsequently released fishlings in the water bodies around the township.

A debate competition for school children was held earlier wherein over 20 children from six different schools took part. The topic of this well-contested debate was ‘Air Pollution and Climate Change: Two sides of the same coin’. The art and painting competition held under the banner of World Environment Day, was an immensely popular event among the children of Digboi. The event witnessed large participation from over 780 children of different age groups.

DOOMDOOMA: As a part of the observance of World Environment Day, Green Day Run- an inter-school mini marathon race was organized at Doomdooma under the auspices of Na-Dihing Foundation, an NGO, on Wednesday from Rupai Tiniali to National Highway No.52. Sheema Chaudhury, principal of Hoonlal HS School flagged off the run. Later prizes were distributed among the winners by principal Sheema Chaudhury, journalist Abhijeet Khataniar and former teacher Buddheswar Sonowal. The day was also observed at Hoonlal HS School. Village Defence Party (VDP), Doomdooma Police Station Committee members planted tree saplings.

Hailakandi: Hailakandi geared up to contribute its mite to nature as it celebrated World Environment Day on Wednesday with several organisations pitching in to make it a greener place. Personnel of the Divisional Forest Office undertook a plantation drive across the district. Additional Deputy Commissioner, EL Faihriem kicked off the initiative by planting the first sapling. The department distributed saplings free of cost to people.

“Through this initiative, we aim to increase plant cover by giving away the saplings that require little special maintenance. They need to be watered just twice a day, after sunrise and sunset, and were predominantly shade-bearing trees, which are the need of the hour in urban areas,” said a forest official. District Coordinator, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Sekhar Ranjan Deb, Secretary, The Greens, Kshitish Ranjan Paul, Commissioner, Hailakandi Municipal Board, Arun Das, eminent citizens and employees of DC’s establishment took part in the drive.

The day was also observed in local head offices with planting of saplings by officials and employees. The district administration had asked all the district heads of different departments to observe the day in a befitting manner. Plantation was carried out in the premises of SK Roy Civil Hospital by the Superintendent and the health functionaries and also in Children’s Park on the occasion.

Haflong: World Environment Day was observed throughout the district of Dima Hasao in a befitting manner. Along with the Dima Hasao forest department, several NGOs, schools, colleges, government and semi-government institutions observed the day with programmes like public meetings, cleanliness drive, plantation and also distribution of free saplings.

Debolal Gorlosa, Chief Executive Member, N C Hills Autonomous Council, said, “Let us remember that we have a responsibility to protect our Mother Earth as we have borrowed it for our future generation. Let us give our coming generations a healthier and happier environment to have a beautiful life.”

At Umrangso, to celebrate World Environment Day, minimum three plants were planted in the Umrongso PHE Division campus. Furthermore, in connection with the theme of this year’s World Environment Day – ‘Beat Air Pollution’ - efforts are already on for a total ban on burning waste which leads to air pollution.

LAKHIMPUR: Indo Global Social Service Society (IGSSS) of Dhemaji, in collaboration with the district National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Pachim Dhemaji Guiekhana Youth Club, Sati Radhikha Village Organization and Anganwadi Centre, observed World Environment Day at Pithuchapori LP School premises on Wednesday in the presence of teachers, students and the local people.

A total of 100 saplings were planted at seven temples of the local area while the same was done at Pithuchapori LP School premises under the leadership of Assistant Head Commander of NDRF, Vimal Gupta, IGSSS project officer Rajen Saikia, and Pachim Dhemaji Guiekhana Youth Club president Mantu Das.

In the open session of the event, dignitaries like DDMA District Project Officer Lohit Gogoi, IGSSS Project Officer Rajen Saikia, Ghuguha High School headmaster Rabindra Baruah, Little Mind School headmaster Bireswar Chutia and Guiekhana LP School headmistress Ranu Das were present. They highlighted the significance of World Environment Day and this year’s theme ‘Beat air pollution’ in their speeches.

Dhakuakhana Normal School observed the day on Wednesday in a befitting manner under the auspices of SCERT under Mission Uttaran programme at No. 443 Hujgaon LP School. The programme began with a seedling plantation programme inaugurated by Principal Lakhi Konwar while co-ordinator Aparajita Buragohain lit the ceremonial lamp. Then an awareness rally was taken out with the participation of the students and their parents and teachers. It was inaugurated by SMC president Jatin Das. Thereafter, a series of literary competitions, such as quiz, drawing, essay writing and extemporary speech, was organized among the students under the chairmanship of headmistress Dipti Devi.

Also read: Assam news