AndhraNews.Net - World Environment Day observed

New Delhi: June 5, 2004

The Minister of Environment & Forests, Shri A. Raja has called for the active participation and cooperation of the people for the protection and improvement of environment. Addressing a distinguished gathering on the occasion of the World Environment Day and 26th anniversary of the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) here today, Shri Raja said that the programmes for the restoration and sustainable use of the world's seas and oceans would not succeed without the active support of all sections of society.

"While the Government is doing its best to conserve and protect the natural resource in the country and tackling the problem at political, legal, administrative and technical levels, nothing much can be achieved without the active participation and cooperation of the people for protection and improvement of the environment," the Minister stated. Pointing out that 'public participation and involvement hold the key to success of any environmental improvement programme", the Minister stressed that "Government, industry and community organisations have to work together as partners so that our endeavour to protect the environment and to ensure a better quality of life for present and future generations can meet with success".

Asserting that the coastal and oceanic ecosystems have linkages even with landlocked states through the river system and climate, and thus with food security, availability of water, and indeed almost all economic activities, the Minister expressed concern that "today the coastal areas have become a dump for wastes of various kinds".

Observing that "mechanisms already exist, including the Global Plan of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and UN Food and Agricultural Organization action plans for fisheries", Shri Raja expressed concern at the continuing depletion of the world's fish stocks and the increasing degradation of the marine environment, which "indicate that these and other instruments, binding or non-binding are not being sufficiently implemented and enforced".

The Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Shri Namo Narain Meena, who presided over the function, said that the government has taken a number of regulatory and promotional measures to conserve marine & coastal eco-systems of the country. The Ministry through its programmes on National Environment Awareness Campaign, and Eco-Clubs has extensively disseminated environmental consciousness among school children across the length and breadth of the country.

Eminent scientist and former Director General, Council for Scientific & Industrial Research, Dr. A. P. Mitra, who delivered the keynote address on the occasion, said that the oceans have more impact on our lives than we are generally aware of. They cover 97.5% of the earth's surface and with more than 40 per cent of the human population already living within 60 kilometers of a coast, the oceans and seas play a pivotal role in climate control. They are also rich in seafood, salt, minerals, chemicals, and an incredible variety of marine life.

In his welcome address, Environment & Forests Secretary Dr. Prodipto Ghosh observed that this year's theme of World Environment Day 2004 - "Wanted! Seas and Oceans: Dead or Alive?" - emphasizes that society can no longer view the world's seas as a convenient dumping ground for our wastes, or as an unlimited natural resource. The world's seas and oceans are becoming increasingly affected by untreated wastewater, air-borne pollution, industrial effluent, and silt from inadequately managed watersheds.

On this occasion, Shri Meena gave away awards to many children who had shown their talents in writing essays, designing posters and writing poems during the NMNH Summer Programme. The Young Environmentalist Award went to Amit Pandita. Awards were also given for best paintings on environmental issues.

Earlier Shri Raja administered the pledge of conservation of environment to the children in a ceremony, held at the Bal Bhavan today. The children took the pledge that " we would protect our Mother Earth who is the source of life, who provides us with food, nourishment shelter and security. We also pledge that we would protect and preserve the varied resources of earth along with our culture, traditions and heritage."

Press Release: PIB

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