World Environment Day was an awakening call for individuals to take charge of protecting the environment and to realize the severity of plastic usage in daily life.This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the State level function to launch Pollution Abating Plants Abhiyan (PAPA) on the occasion of World Environment Day-2018 celebrated at Government Polytechnic College Sundernagar in Mandi district today.Earlier, the Chief Minister laid foundation stone of Guest House and of Mechanical Engineering Block Building in Government Polytechnic Sundernagar to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.50 crore and Rs 5.58 crore respectively.He said that World Environment Day was the "people's day" for doing something to take care of the Earth. He said that the World Environment Day should not be a ceremonial occasion, but something concrete must come out from this. He said that environment was one of the dearest issues for the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He said that environment conservation and cleanliness must become part of our life. He said that that the cleanliness campaign has become a people’s movement due to awareness campaign launched by the Prime Minister. He also urged the students to come forward for environmental conservation. He said that 67.5 per cent geographical part of the State was covered with forests, but still lot more needed to be done for effective environment conservation.
Shri Jai Ram Thakur gave a clarion call to the people of the State to work collectively for making various policies and programmes initiated by the State Government a success, He said that polythene was rampantly polluting our water bodies, harming marine life and posing a threat to human health, has been one of the major concerns of environmental bodies this year. He said that the H.P. became first state in the country to ban use of polythene bags in the State. He said that the tourists visiting the State must be sensitized to use jute or paper bags instead of polythene bags.He said that the water crisis in Shimla town was due to the pollution and degradation of water catchment areas, rivers and water bodies supplying water to the town. He said that pollution reducing plants would be developed in State nurseries and provided to the people for plantation. He said that the State Government has asked the Industries Department to prepare a project for setting up unit for pine needles. He said that one steel bottle would be provided to each Government School students in a phased manner to discourage use of plastic bottles under the Mukhiya Mantri Vardi Yojana. He also urged the parents to buy steel bottles for their children instead of plastic bottles to help in environment conservation.The Chief Minister announced that use of tharmacol plates and glass would be banned in the State as they were major cause of pollution in the State. He said that plastic water bottles less than one liter capacity would be banned in the public meetings in the State. He said that 10 solid waste management plants would be established in different parts of the State for scientific management of waste. He said that a ploytheme shedder machine would be provided for Sundernagar and Ghumarvin town.
He said that special thrust would be laid on plantation of trees form 5th June to 1st July, 2018 in Baddi, Nalagarh, Parwanoo, Kala Amb, Poanta Sahib, Sundernagar, Damtal and Una as these were the most polluted cities of the State.He also planted a sapling in the campus and inaugurated World Environment Day Exhibition 2018 on the occasion. He also released publication brought out by the State Pollution Control Board. He also released a publicity poster on environmental conservation on the occasion.Chief Minister also gave prizes to the best eco-clubs of the educational institutions on the occasion for working towards environment conservation.Member of Parliament Shri Ram Swaroop Sharma said that the World Environment Day was an occasion to take a pledge to work collectively for making our environment pollution free. He said that the Jan Manch programme launched by the State Government was providing an apt platform for the common man to redress their grievances. He said that airport was also coming up in the district which would give a major thrust to the tourism development in the region.MLA Sundernagar Shri Rakesh Jamwal while welcoming the Chief Minister in his home constituency said that environmental conservation initiatives were the need of the hour. He said that the area would witness new milestones in the field of development in the times to come.
He thanked the Chief Minister for laying foundation stones of Guest House and of Mechanical Engineering Block Building in Government Polytechnic Sundernagar to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.50 crore and Rs 5.58 crore respectively.Additional Chief Secretary Environment, Science and Technology and Chairman State Pollution Control Board, Shri Tarun Kapoor said that the State was known for its immense tourism potential. He said that the main attraction for the tourists was its salubrious environment. He said that everyone must join hands to ensure protection of environment. He said that solid waste must be managed scientifically foe ensuring minimum damage to environment.Member Secretary State Pollution Control Board Dr R.K. Pruthi while welcoming the Chief Minister and other dignitaries detailed various activities being undertaken on the World Environment Day. He said that the Pollution Abating Plants Abhiyan (PAPA) was being launched today by the Chief Minister for environmental conservation in the State. He also gave a brief presentation of PAPA on the occasion.Wife of the Chief Minister Dr Sadhna Thakur, MLA Drang Shri Jawahar Thakur, MLA Banjar Shri Surinder Shorie, MLA Balh Shri Inder Singh Gandhi, former Minister Shri Roop Singh Thakur, OSD to the Chief Minister Shri Shishu Dharma, Deputy Commissioner Mandi Shri Rugved Thakur, Director Environment, Science and Technology Shri D.C.Rana wee present on the occasion among others.