Emphasising the need for sustainable production and consumption, the Puducherry government observed the World Environment Day on Friday, in accordance with the United Nations Environment Programme’s theme for 2015: ‘Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet, Consume with Care.’
At the programme organised by the Department Of Science, Technology and Environment (DSTE) and Puducherry Pollution Control Committee, Science, Technology and Environment Minister T. Thiagarajan made a plea to residents to bring about behavioural changes to ensure preservation of resources. “To sustain resources for the future generation, we have to proceed with caution. Let us take steps towards a greener Puducherry,” said Mr. Thiagarajan.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Environment) V. Candavelou said all people have their part to play in environment preservation. “This year’s theme talks about consuming with care, and how consumption should be sustainable. Let us learn to control greed and regulate the use of resources,” he said.
Mr. Thiagarajan presented awards to 30 Science and Mathematics Board exam toppers from Class X and XII from Puducherry. Awards were also distributed to toppers in Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam in the respective regions, with a total amount of Rs. 1.53 lakh distributed to 84 students in the Union Territory. He also released financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 each to four non-governmental organisations to organise environmental awareness programmes.
Saplings gift for newborn babies
The government distributed 300 ‘Bheema’ bamboo saplings sponsored by Ultrust Solutions and Hindustan Unilever to NGOs to be planted across Puducherry.
Another 1000 saplings were donated to the Rajiv Gandhi Government Women and Children Hospital to be gifted to parents of newborns at the hospital and other government healthcare centres, said DSTE Director M. Dwarakanath.
