Youths join hands to protect environment

All the species on the earth should be given equal importance, says convener of FBV

Convenor of Forum for Better Visakha E.A.S. Sarma distributing nests made of earthen pots at an environmental and sparrow protection campaign organised by Green Youth Brigade. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

The City of Destiny used to be a beautiful destination with more of greenery some five decades ago.

However, it has gone through a lot of transformation due to industrial pollution, increased emission of carbon-dioxide, ocean acidification, depletion of ozone layer and a host of environmental issues, convenor of Forum for Better Visakha E.A.S. Sarma said.

Addressing a group of environmental activists and young volunteers to protect environs, he said “in order to bring ecological balance and protect the environs in a sustainable way, all the species on the earth should be given equal importance as the survival of one species may depend on other species.”

With the International Day for Biological Diversity just around the corner, a team of 20 young graduates has started Green Youth Brigade (Harita Yuva Vahini) to protect environs and help the City of Destiny restore its lost glory.

If a message has to reach wider audience, it should be delivered by the youth, said some of the volunteers.

“Let us not just meet once in a while and talk about the sustainable environmental protection but join hands to make our efforts consistent by involving communities and organisations. We would like to extend our support in the best possible way for the initiative taken,” Senior Environmental Engineer of Pollution Control Board Sriramamurthy said.

In line with the campaign, volunteers distributed nests made of wooden box and earthen pots to Varahalu Chetty of the Visakha Public Library and also to a team of environmental activists.

Y. Uma Swati, N. Gayatri Himabindu, K. Praveen Kumar, Ravikanth Reddy of Mother Earth Environmental Consciousness Society and a host of volunteers said they want to motivate youth by organising awareness campaign at schools and colleges and help them understand the concept of promoting healthy environs.

“We want volunteers with similar interest to share their views and come forward to make this campaign a successful one,” they added. Those who want to be part of the initiative can contact 9966389591.