Patna: "Youth should adopt healthy habits like tree plantation and cycling, only then the environment can be saved", said Tej Pratap Yadav Bihar Forest and Climate Change and Environment Minister on the occasion of the world environment day.
Addressing a seminar cum awareness programme jointly organized under the aegis of UNICEF and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan on World Environment Day, Tej Pratap Yadav said that environmental conservation is an important issue in which we all need to work together. Apart from special occasions like World Environment Day, we should plant more and more trees on other occasions as well. He emphasized on giving saplings instead of garlands while greeting the guests. Calling upon the youth participants from across the state, he said that all necessary healthy habits including cycling should be adopted to combat the grave threat of climate change. Such habits will not only help the youth to be healthy, but they can also contribute towards environment conservation. He assured to appeal to the government for construction of maximum number of cycle tracks.
Nafisa Binte Shafique, State Chief of UNICEF Bihar said that although climate change affects all of us, children and adolescents are the most affected by it. Bihar is a young state with 46% of its population is below 18 years. Describing this young population as future climate warriors, she said that their role in environmental conservation is very crucial.
She said that Bihar gets affected by the serious climatic problems like flood, drought and heat wave every year and the state government’s Jal Jeevan Hariyali Mission is an important step to deal with them. The damage caused by climate change is also being reduced by ensuring community participation through Mission Life (Lifestyle for Environment). She reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to further promote and strengthen the Jal Jeevan Hariyali Mission and Mission Life in Bihar in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan.
Arvind Chaudhary, Principal Secretary said that United Nations has declared Beat Plastic Pollution’ as this year’s World Environment Day theme, which emphasizes on finding solutions for safe disposal of plastic waste. Referring to the Jal Jeevan Hariyali Mission, he said that life is possible only between water and greenery.
He further said that an agreement has been signed by the state government with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) for Net Zero Carbon Emission. An Action Plan is being prepared so that carbon emissions from our power plants can be eliminated. He informed that environment is an important topic among the different issues that are discussed in schools on Bagless Saturday. Through this exercise, our future generations are getting proper knowledge about the ill effects of climate change and the effective means for environmental conservation.
State Director of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Anshuman Prasad Das said that we are making youths aware about environmental conservation through cultural programs like drama, dance, music etc. across the state. By conducting door to door campaign, we are trying to reach out to all sections of the community.
Professor Atul Aditya Pandey, Department of Geology, Patna University gave a comprehensive presentation on Climate Change Challenges and Role of Youth. He said that we have to make necessary changes in our lifestyle in order to protect the environment in true sense. In particular, the youths will have to first get themselves aware and then create awareness in society.
During the event, many youths were rewarded for their excellent contribution in spreading awareness about the environment in their localities, plantation and taking care of trees in their respective districts, inspiring the community people to build toilets.
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