Jammu, Jun 08 (KNS): In order to commemorate theme of International Environment Day – “Beat the Plastic”, for which India is the host country, this year, “We The Human”, a public charitable trust organized seminar at Forest Information Centre Vikram Chowk Jammu. Various speakers including noted environmentalists Roop Lal, P K Ganju, S. Prem Singh, Kanwar Y S Manhas Principal Secretary (Retired), Lalit Sharma Additional PCCF (Retired) addressed a large gathering of prominent citizens of Jammu and agriculturist farmers who had come from different parts of Jammu. The speakers lamented about excessive use of plastic in our lives and in one or the other way people have become habitual of using plastic including plastic polythene bags and plastic food containers. People were exhorted to minimize use of plastic polythene in their day today life which has not only caused damage to our environment but also endangered animals’ life. Plastic Polythene is non biodegradable and it takes a period between 500-1000 years to get the same absorbed in soil of earth. Giving example, the speakers said that the mouth cleft problem among newly born is mostly due to intake of harmful diet by mothers during their pregnancy period and also because of intake of milk of cows who eat up polythene bags from garbage. They appealed all present in the function to say no to use of plastic toys, cups, glasses, polythene bags and especially, junk food packed in plastics. Speakers also criticized government decision of constructing a zoo in Jagti Nagrota, which is an old concept & against animals protection laws and the same should be converted either in Nature Park or a wild life sanctuary or city jungle so as to benefit environment and also a safe natural habitat for animals.
Later addressing the gathering, the Forest Minister Rajiv Jasrotia appreciated initiative taken by the trust in organizing awareness programme on such burning issues as have affected our environment badly. The Minister also asked to change their mindsets and minimize use of plastic in their day to day lives.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe Minister assured that he will make it sure that such environmental organizations are provided full support from the department of Forest, Environment and Ecology. The Minister exhorted officers of the department to come up with environmental and nature friendly programmes and policies. He asked the J&K PCB officers to implement all laws of the land strictly with regard to providing of safety equipments in industries, scientific disposal of bio medical waste by pathological laboratories, hospitals and clinics, disposal of waste material, strictly as per law. They also need to make people aware about such laws and ensure public participation in monitoring of all such important issues.
Rajiv Jasrotia assured to revive the ecological tourism in the state by launching large scale forestation plan for all pilgrimage and tourist places of Jammu as well as Kashmir. He also assured to take necessary measures on a war footing to restore the lost glory of holy rivers like Tawi, devak, Basantar by launching plantation drive on both sides of these rivers, on a large scale in the coming plantation season.
The Forest Minister also released the newsletter of the trust for months of April & May in which apart from giving information about activities of the trust, articles of environmentalists, doctors and scientists are given on different important issues.
MLC Ch. Vikram Randhawa, Vipan Bhasin President Rotary Club and Sumeer Bharti Chief Conservator of Forests also addressed those present on the occasion.
Later Life Time Achievement awards were given to the noted environmentalists & agriculturists President of Samba Kissan Union Karan Singh, Ex Sarpanch & a leading agriculturist & social activist Ashwani Sharma from Marh block and Guldev Raj, the renowned bird watcher having created a history by identifying & compiling description of all migratory & other birds in J&K. (KNS)