Ranchi: Celebrating the World Environment Day, the Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED) organised two online sessions through Facebook live sessions to raise public awareness on healing the environment and deliberating on far-sighted and proven solutions of ecological restoration to make the planet more healthy and sustainable.
The two sessions — ‘Regenerating Ecosystems for a Sustainable Future’ and ‘Ecosystem Regeneration through Energy Efficiency’ — were aligned with the official theme, ‘Ecological Restoration’, of the World Environment Day.
The United Nations has also designated 2021-2030 as the decade for ‘ecosystem restoration’ and over 70 countries, including India, around the world have pledged to bring 350 million hectares of the deforested and degraded land into restoration by 2030.
Drawing attention on forging a collective effort to restore our ecology in the session, ‘Regenerating Ecosystems for a Sustainable Future’, Padma Shri Ravindra Kumar Sinha, who is the vice-chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (Jammu) and also popularly known as ‘Dolphin Man of India’, said, “There is a greater need to rejuvenate our ecological systems through sustainable means for preserving the natural resources and protecting aquatic life and wildlife, which are on the verge of extinction.” Ashwani Ashok, head of renewable energy at CEED, said, “There is enough scientific evidence to suggest that indiscriminate use of natural resources and over-dependence on fossil fuel-based development have a debilitating impact on our social and economic lives.
Recovery of our earth’s ecosystem is crucial to support the livelihood of millions of people and bring in a new era of sustainability.” The second session revolved around a carbon-neutral world through technological innovations.
Meanwhile, different programmes on plantation and webinars were also held across the state to observe the day.
Chief minister Hemant Soren planted a sapling at his official residence to mark the day and appealed to people to save and conserve the environment.
In Muri, Hindalco observed the day with quiz, drawing and slogan competitions.
Unit head of Hindalco (Muri plant), N N Roy, stressed on numerous aspects for restoration of the environment through plantation while keeping the water and air clean among others.
“Our unit has taken several initiatives to keep this plant environment-friendly and make the unit greener, stronger and smarter,” he said.
At Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) headquarters in Ranchi, several programmes were held.
Dignitaries hoisted the ‘Environment Flag’ and took an oath to preserve the environment and protect biodiversity.
“CCL is continually striving towards sustainable mining and environment conservation.
Eco parks are being established in the various operational areas of the company and widespread aforestation is being carried,” the PSU said in a statement.