Housing and environment minister Mohammed Akbar said our ancestors had handed over healthy and clean environment and it is responsibility of all to make it better before handing it over to the future generation.
He was addressing the seminar organised on the occasion of World Environment Day held at new Circuit House, Civil Lines, Raipur on Wednesday. Children of Shram Niketan Higher Secondary School and Jamul school presented a street play ‘Kissa Lakdi’ before the seminar. Sponge Iron Association and a private steel company gave away Rs 21,000 as cash prize to each.
Minister said, “By saving environment, we save the earth for which we have to do firm work at the ground level. The event should not be limited to plantation, but the need of the hour is to save the planted tree saplings. Similarly, to reduce pollution, integrated community participation and efforts is required.”
“These events recall the need to conserve nature and how it is integral for clean and balanced life of the people. Pure water and air is basis of life. It is a biggest concern that both are being polluted,” he pointed out.
“The key reason for this is that we are fully concentrated on production but not going into aspect that is causing extensive damage to environment,” he added.
The other speakers were MLAs Satyanarayan Sharma, Vikas Upadhayay and Kuldeep Juneja, IIM director Bharat Bhaskar and senior scientist Dr S. K. Goyal. Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board member secretary R. P. Tiwari gave welcome address and briefed on activities of the CECB. Minister and dignitaries gave away the prizes of poster writing and quiz competitions organised for school and college students.