In her first public appearance after holding the gubernatorial post in the State, Governor Draupadi Murmu on Friday appealed to social organisations and denizens to contribute in the conservation of nature.
Speaking at a function on the occasion of World Environment Day held by Vikas Bharti, she said that it is not important to stop the establishment of industries and coal mines in order to conserve the nature but to judiciously utilise the available natural mineral resources of the State.
“Ensuring the safety of environment has turned a worldwide tension in the recent scenario. Ozone layer is thickening; animal health is on risk and ground water is depleting. The melting glaciers may affect India and the neighbouring countries. We have to join hands to save Ganga and other rivers,” she maintained.
The Governor highlighted on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA), stating its relevance in maintaining cleanliness and sanitation. Also, she inaugurated Dr Ram Dayal Munda Research Centre at the NGO premises and planted a sapling of Rudraksh.
The Drinking Water & Sanitation (DWS) department in association with Vikas Bharti will commence a Gaon-Gaon Drinking Water and Sanitation Awareness on various issues from Birsa Munda Shahadat Diwas marking on June 9 to Rath Yatra on June 18 covering 1500 villages of the State.
The campaign was officially inaugurated by the Governor with the presentation of saplings to each District Coordinator.
DWS department Principal Secretary AP Singh said the government is aiming to increase the number of hand pumps by the year end since the main population in urban and rural areas is dependent on these water sources. As of now, the State owns around four lakh hand pumps.
“There is a shortage of quality water in most of the districts. The fluoride content is more in Palamu and Garhwa while in Singhbhum the iron crosses the permissible limit in water. To improve the condition, we are running a programme with Health department for the sake of water conservation,” said Singh.
Padmashree Ashok Bhagat, the Secretary of Vikas Bharti, welcomed the Governor and others, including legislators Naveen Jaiswal, Gangotri Kujur, Shiv Shankar Oraon, Jeetu Charan Ram and Hari Krishna Singh, Sports Director Anil Kumar Singh, RU VC Ramesh Kumar Pandey, Ranchi Women’s College Principal Manju Sinha and Ranchi College Principal UC Mehta.
He said the Gaon Gaon Drinking Water and Sanitation awareness will be a part of their ongoing programmes for the development of society.