STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: On the eve of the World Environment Day, the Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing (DEERS), J and K organized an eco-march on Thursday from Zabarwan Park to Grand Palace Hotel.
Despite inclement weather there was huge enthusiasm among the participants and they raised slogans about various environmental issues and carried with them play cards.
The rally was flagged off by Principal Secretary, Forest Department, Rakesh Gupta in presence of Addl. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Chief Wild Life Warden Deepak Khanna and Director Ecology Environment and Remote Sensing, Suresh Chugh.
The Eco-March was meant for creating awareness among people regarding the Environmental issues in the State. The rally comprised of about 300 children drawn from 29 schools, teachers, environmentalists, youth and conservation conscious citizens.
Principal Secretary, Forests, Rakesh Gupta said that J and K is very vulnerable and fragile state and is facing a number of Environmental problems. Therefore, it becomes the duty of every citizen to contribute in the mitigation process and save the resources for next generations by reducing consumption.
Director, DEERS, Suresh Chugh informed that it is an annual event and is organised every year to bring attention of the people towards the environmental issues facing the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite rains the response was very good and the children participated in the event with great enthusiasm, he added.
Regional Director, A.R Mir, Mass Media Officer, Muzaffar Jan Bazaz, Scientists Humanyun Rashid, Dr Tasneem, Majid Farooq, Technical Officer G H Mir, Zahoor Ahmad Akhoon Env Forester, Nazir Be-Nazir NGO were prominent among the participants.