B'lore observes Earth Day with awareness events

Earth Day was observed in the City, on Tuesday, with this year's theme ‘Green cities.’ The day was marked by awareness programmes, workshops and seminars among others.

A series of sessions on topics such as 'Making Bangalore a Green City', 'Nature Inspires', Climate Change and others was held jointly by Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Energy and Department (MGIRED) and Environment and Ecology Department.

Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner G V Krishna Rau, inaugurated the seminar by lighting a solar lamp. He stressed the audience that to have a green and good environment, it is important to plant more trees. He suggested the adoption of solar-based transport system instead of fossil fuel.

Dr Seetaramu, Director of Central Power Research Institute ( CPRI) present during the seminar said: "Around 600 MT coal is burnt every year in India and carbon emission is increasing by each passing day. Energy crisis is very important in power sector and also important factor of Indian economics."

Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Commissioner M Laxminarayana, professors from Indian Institute of Science ( IISc), and officials from Environment and Ecology department were also present at the seminar and gave a word of advice regarding saving the earth through adopting different ways to save the globe.

Many green associations also held similar programmes.

The Green Path launched its new project called ‘Hasiru Thota’, an eco-friendly building. They also had an awareness programme and conducted hands-on experience for the participants on green construction through mud-block brick making, herbal plants potting and junk waste art work.

The Department of Transport also held World Earth day celebration at Jnanajyothi Auditorium wherein poet Chandrashekar Kambara presided.

Similarly, Bharatiya Samaja Seva Trust and Akhila Karnataka Makkala Koota celebrated the day by holding a seminar and distributing ‘Students Environmental award’. During the occasion, the Trust's website was launched by environmentalist Saalum­arada Thimmakka.