Mysuru: Mysuru joined the country to celebrate the World Environment Day today. Jathas, planting of saplings, bicycle rallies, special lecture programmes, cleaning drives, awareness on plastic and several other programmes were held to mark the occasion.

World Environment Day is the United Nations’ (UN) most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. The celebrations have grown to become a global platform for public outreach in over 100 countries.

Ever since its conception in 1974, Environment Day has had a special theme relating to the pressing environmental concern at the time. The theme for 2018 is “Beat Plastic Pollution.”

As part of the celebration, the District Administration, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and the District Legal Services Authority had organised a cycle jatha.

The highlight of the celebrations in the city was an awareness rally taken out from city to Srirangapatna for clean Cauvery River. At a time when there is an increased demand for clean drinking water and at a time when River Cauvery is being polluted by various industries by letting out effluents, the rally assumed significance.

As if to reflect the “Beat Plastic Pollution” in letter and spirit, Let’s do it! Mysore has set up a display at Chikka Gadiyara to create awareness against plastic use and plastic pollution which is killing oceanic life. The display depicts a fish with an open stomach from where plastic is falling into a dustbin.

Clean Cauvery river rally

Cauvery Nadhi Swachhatha Andolana Samithi along with the Regional Office of KSPCB and other organisations had organised a rally to create awareness among people on protecting cleanliness of river Cauvery and that of environment.

The rally, with about 100 participants, took off from Palace North Gate in front of Kote Anjaneyaswamy temple. The rally will conclude near Cauvery River close to Sri Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangapatna.

Speaking on the occasion, Vedic scholar Dr. Bhanuprakash Sharma opined that the World Environment Day should be celebrtaed on a meaningful note. He observed that civilisation was also contributing to pollution which demands a high degree of awareness among people on preserving the environment and cleanliness of water bodies.

Samithi Convenor M.N. Chandramohan, Sri Ganesha Swaroopanandagiri Swamiji of Ganjam Adi Shankar Mutt, Sri Sadashiva Swamiji of Kodlipet, District Brahmana Sangha President D.T. Prakash, Sri Shantiverathananda Swamiji of Ramakrishna Ashrama, Senior Environment officer D. Uday Kumar and others participated.

Cycle rally for a clean environment

The District Administration, KSPCB, District Legal Services Authority and other organisations had organised a cycle rally to create awareness among people on utility of bicycle for clean environment.

The rally was flagged off in front of DC’s office by MCC Commissioner K.H. Jagadish who also rode a bicycle along with participants. About 100 people including several children participated in the rally. The placards fixed to the cycles carried meaningful messages like ‘Save Environment’, ‘Shun usage of plastic’ and ‘Greenery is life’.

The rally passed through Babu Jagajeevanram Circle (Railway Station Circle), K.R. Circle and culminated at Institutions of Engineers on JLB Road where a stage programme was held. KSPCB Environment officers Prakash, Udayakumar, Yatish, NSS officer Dinesh and others participated in the rally.

Planting of trees

The District Administration, Janajagruti Grameena Abhivruddhi Samsthe, Infopest Mysuru and NSS had organised a tree planting drive and a painting competition at the Institution of Engineers on JLB Road.

Speaking after inaugurating the event, Principal District and Sessions Court Judge S.L. Krishnappa Vontigodi highlighted the environmental hazards of plastic and advised the people to shun use of plastic to the maximum extent possible.

He also stressed the need for using cloth bags, as it is more environment-friendly. A total of 22 children were distributed prizes for various competitions.

Celebrations at ODP

Expressing concern over depleting forest cover, KSRP Assistant Commandant Prasanna Kumar stressed on the need for immediate measures to expand forest cover in a bid to save our Ecology and Environment.

He was speaking after inaugurating World Environment Day programme organised at ODP (Organisation for the Development of People) at Bannimantap.

Pointing out that the National Forest Policy envisions a 33 per cent forest cover to save the land from eco-disaster, Prasanna Kumar said that 14 States in the country were lagging behind in having 33 per cent forest cover. Karnataka has only 20.19 percent forest cover and the status in Mysuru District even bad with only 16 percent, which is a lot of concern,” he said.

Highlighting the calamities that might occur if we do not rush to save our environment, he emphasised on the need for curbing use of plastics, as is one of the main elements which cause pollution, besides leading to eco-disaster. He lauded the ODP for its contribution towards creating awareness and for practical efforts to conserve our fragile ecology and environment.

ISRO Scientist V. Jagannath, who delivered a talk on the theme “Control of plastic pollution”, said that it was important for everyone to realise the environmental hazards of using plastic.

Rev. Fr. C. Rayappa administered the oath on saving environment. Bishop of Mysuru Most Reverend Dr. K.A. William presided.

Yeddyurappa in city

As part of the World Environment Day, BJP State President and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly B.S. Yeddyurappa planted a medicinal plant sapling at Rajendra Kalamandira on Ramanuja Road this morning.

The former CM was participating at a party workers’ meeting. Later in the evening, Yeddyurappa will interact with teachers with election from South Teachers Constituency to take place on June 8.