Briefs on World Environment Day 2011
The State Level World Environment Day Function was celebrated officially on 5th June 2011 at the auditorium of Gauhati Medical College, Guwahati. The state level function was jointly organised by the Department of Environment & Forests, Government of Assam, Pollution Control Board, Assam and Assam Science Technology & Environment Council.
Hon'ble Chief Minister, Sri Tarun Gogoi graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and Sri Rockybul Hussain, Hon'ble Minister of Environment & Forests and Panchayat & Rural Development, Government of Assam was present on the function as Guest of Honour.
The function was graced by the Principal Secretary of Environment & Forests Department, Government of Assam, Sri Saraswati Prasad, IAS and Sri V.K. Vishnoi, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, Assam. The Chairman of Pollution Control Board, Assam and Director of Assam Science Technology & Environment Council was also present in the occasion apart from the host of dignitaries and officials.
Dr. Parimal Ch. Bhattacharya, noted Environmentalist and Former Professor, Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, Guwahati delivered the keynote address on the theme of World Environment Day 2011 i.e. Forests: Nature at Your Service. He touched upon various usefulness and service rendered by the forest resources at length and factors affecting this resource.
Hon'ble Chief Minister of Assam, Sri Tarun Gogoi stressed on the conservation of forest resources so that our future generation can sustain their lives in a greener world. Sri Rockybul Hussain, Hon'ble Minister of Environment & Forests, Government of Assam outlined the various initiatives and actions taken by the government in the proper sustainable use and restoration of the forests resources.
Sri Saraswati Prasad, Principal Secretary, Department of Environment & Forests, Government of Assam and V.K. Vishnoi, PCCF, Assam delivered lectures on forests resources. Dr. Satyendra Kr. Choudhury, Director, Assam Science Technology & Environment Council delivered the welcome address and Dr. R.M. Dubey, IFS, Chairman, Pollution Control Board, Assam offered the vote of thanks.
Awards were bestowed to children for competitions related to World Environment Day 2011 which was organised by Pollution Control Board, Assam.
In addition, Plantation of Saplings was done by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Assam and Hon'ble Minister of Environment & Forests, Government of Assam apart from host of dignitaries.
Apart from the State Level Function, World Environment Day were organised in 32 other places of the state with active collaboration of NGOs and academic institutions. The list of organizations are Aryabhatta Science Centre, Sarukhetri Block, Barpeta, Royal High School, Hailakandi, Social Work and Research Centre, Juria, Nagaon, Phoenix Society, Lampara, Kamrup, North-East Unified Youth Federation, Doboka, Nagaon, Nature & Undeveloped People Reformatory (NUR) Society, Juria, Nagaon, Jatiya Vidyalaya, Hatiyekhowa (JA-BI-HA), Golaghat, Kalpadroom Foundation, Christianbasti, Guwahati, Shubham, Kalayahati, Barpeta, Uttaran Purbottar, Dispur, Guwahati, Lok Seva Sammittee, Nagrijuli, Baksa, Nilachal Jatiya Vidyalaya, Kamakhya, Guwahati, Centre for Rural Development, Guwahati, Priyasha, Machkhowa, Guwahati, Aryabhatta Science Centre, Lakhimpur Block, North Lakhimpur, Department of Education, B. Borooah College, Guwahati, Women & Children Development Sangha, Mugkuchi, Nalbari, Sonapur College, Sonapur, Botanical Society of Assam, Cotton College, Guwahati, Aitijya (The Heritage), Kumarpara, Guwahati, Sarathi Welfare Society (S.W.S.), Noonmati, Guwahati, Manabsewa Mahila Samittee, Tamulpur, Baksa, Society for Zoology and Nature, Guwahati College, Guwahati, Lords Educational Health and Technological Mission, Dholai Bazar, Cachar, Sankalpa, Dumunichowki, Kamrup, SEWA, Bhomolahati, Kamrup, Assam Science Society, Lakhimpur, Seujee Dharanee (The Green Earth), Jalukbari, Guwahati, Assam Science Writer's Association, Lakhimpur, Shankardev Sishu Niketan, Saukuchi, Guwahati, Aryabhatta Science Centre, Gauripur Block, Dhubri and Jorhat Science Centre cum Planetarium, Jorhat.
Some of the activities undertaken by these institutions are various competitions on environment like art, debate, extempore speech, poster etc, environment rallies, open meeting on environment, sapling distribution, popular talks, science model making competition, environmental quiz etc.
The entire programme was supported and catalysed by the Department of Environment & Forests, Govt. of Assam and implemented by Assam Science Technology & Environment Council, Guwahati.