Tree planting, pledge to eliminate plastic, and more...

Activists and enthusiasts were busy planting saplings and distributing them in plenty on World Environment Day on Tuesday.

Citizens, government officials and organisations also pledged to spread awareness and protect the environment.

BBMP officials distributed more than 100 saplings, with Mayor Sampath Raj leading a rally from Town Hall to the Palike head office, where he also planted a sapling. BDA commissioner Rakesh Singh also planted saplings in the head office.

The forest department and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board organised a tree-planting drive for children in Malleswaram. Forest officials also held a cleanliness drive, and drawing and colouring competitions for children around the Bannerghatta National Park.

Many city schools, including Greenwood High International School, Trio World Academy and Heritage Public School, marked the environment day by tree-planting drives and taking a pledge to reject plastic.

Corporates do their bit

Under the theme 'Beat Plastic Pollution', many corporates decided to reduce the use of plastic in their organisations.

Embassy Services organised a workshop for IT professionals on the methods to reuse the juice tetra packs. The artistic display of a 20-feet turtle depicting the endangered species emphasised the need to protect habitats.

Some IT professionals and corporates held walkathons, cyclothons and rallies. Cleanliness initiatives were also taken up in various lakes and parks.

Infosys pledged to rid its campuses of non-recyclable plastic. The company vowed to cut the per-capita plastic waste by 50% in 2018-19. The tech major also vowed to replace Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) water bottles, plastic carry bags, food sachets, toiletries, garbage bin liners, business card holders and other plastic items with eco-friendly materials.