Prez joins 'Earth Hour' campaign

The entire Rashtrapati Bhavan plunged into partial darkness as all its decorative and focused lights were switched off between 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm on the lines of World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-supported World Earth Hour which is observed globally on the last Saturday of March each year.

Citizens in several areas of the city too switched off their lights for an hour to show concern for the planet. This is the third time that ‘Earth Hour’ was observed in the national capital since March. “You did it for an hour in March which saved 1000 MW of power, which is a world record. Let us participate once again” was the appeal of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to the people.

The Environment Department of Delhi Government has mooted the idea of observing ‘Earth Hour’ every three months which will enable the city administration to save 500 MW of power. The Environment Department had approached various market associations, colleges, schools and institutions to participate in the campaign.

During the ‘Earth Hour’, cities across the globe switch off their lights to conserve maximum amount of energy which implies reduction in the emission of green house gases in the atmosphere. Emission of Green House Gases remains a major problem which results irreversible changes in the climate.