Academicians, who assembled at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University on the eve of Earth Day here on Saturday, underscored the need to lay focus on using renewable energy sources in to protect the planet.
The United Nations theme for this year was “Mobilise the Earth”, and the programme was organised to motivate students and youngsters in taking up the responsibility to protect the Earth, said V. Hima Bindu, Head of Centre for Environment, JNTUH.
Experts, environmentalists and academicians participated in the programme, which was organised in association with the Council for Green Revolution, a voluntary organisation.
Apart from nuclear and thermal energy, the government should focus on developing alternative energy sources, which were renewable. Steps were needed to promote and make use of solar energy and other renewable energies more realistic, said Environmentalist K. Purushotham Reddy, while addressing the gathering.
“Researchers and government should lay emphasis on developing technologies that are more appropriate to present day needs and make them affordable,” he said.
JNTUH Vice-Chancellor Rameshwar Rao said development was essential, but developmental activities in the country had resulted in exerting pressure on finite natural resources, besides casting an impact on human health.
Land degradation, biodiversity loss, air pollution, particularly vehicle pollution, solid waste management and management of fresh water were some issues that need to be addressed in protecting the earth, he said.
Council for Green Revolution president K. Leelalaxma Reddy claimed the organisation has planted over five lakh saplings with the help of 88,000 students across the State. The organisation's “Green Leader” was awarded to NBA member Dr. Tulasi Rao.
