Children participating in free distribution of saplings at MVP Colony rythu bazar in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: V. RAJU

Planting of saplings, rallies, awareness meetings and calls to shun the use of plastic marked the World Environment Day in the city on Thursday.

District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad flagged off a ‘green rally’, taken out from the Kali Matha temple to the AU Convention Centre on Beach Road. The programme was organised under the aegis of the Forest Department, Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, GVMC and other departments.

The Collector said that a campaign was launched to plant 5 lakh saplings across the district. The target was to plant over a million saplings in the district. He called upon the organisers to ensure protection and growth of the plants.

The Collector called upon the public to shun the use of plastic. He reminded that ‘single-use plastic’ has already been banned. Plastic is causing untold harm to public health, including cancer. It is also harming marine life, he said and commended Divis Labs, Coromandel and other industries and NGOs for becoming a part of the sapling promotion.

Waltair Railway Division celebrated the day with enthusiasm and commitment, emphasising its dedication to environmental protection and sustainability.

This year’s theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution,” highlights the need to end plastic pollution, and the division has actively focused on raising public awareness on plastic ban and promoting large-scale plantation drives.

It organised a series of activities from May 22 to June 5. These initiatives were aimed at reducing plastic pollution and enhancing green cover across the division.

Railway employees across the division pledged to adopt eco-friendly habits in their daily lives. Thousands of saplings of various species were planted at multiple locations, including railway colonies and community spaces.

The Dolphin Nose Railway Colony witnessed active participation of ADRM (Operations) Manoj Kumar Sahoo, ADRM (Infra) E. Santharam, and other branch officers.

Further, ECoRWWO organised community plantation programmes to preserve biodiversity and enhance green cover. ECoR WWO president Jyotsna Bohra, along with vice-president Madhusmita Sahoo, Secretary Ankita Sharma, and other executive members, graced the event at Anurag Montessori School.

Cleanliness campaigns were held at key stations and colonies including Duvvada, Vizianagaram, Simhachalam, Srikakulam Road, Koraput, Rayagada, Jagdalpur, and Kirandul, emphasising the importance of waste management and plastic reduction.

Chief Medical Officer D. Sarath Babu, along with his team, participated in mass plantation drives, reinforcing the link between a healthy environment and public health.

A ‘Swachh Bharat’ drive was organised to commemorate the World Environment Day, at Duvvada Railway Station on Thursday.

A total of 28 persons, representing various associations, participated in the clean and green initiative, organised by K. Eswar, Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) Member and MSN Murthy, secretary, Manavavikas Vedika.

The announcements on eco-awareness, made on the public address system by Durga Laxmi, MS Rao Duvvada Railway staff, drew the attention of passengers boarding and alighting trains at the station.

The clean and green programme was followed by free distribution of RO water bottles to around 450 passengers travelling in general compartments of Shirdi Express and Prasanthi Express by Kameswara Rao and Bhaskar.