ICYM Youth should Spread Awareness on Waste Management – DC Priyanka Mary Francis
Udupi: The Indian Catholic Youth Movement Udupi deanery in association with Mother of Sorrows Church Udupi Unit organised an Environment sensitization programme “Our Environment Our Responsibility” which was held at the Don Bosco Hall Udupi here on Sunday, December 17.
The programme was inaugurated by Priyanka Mary Francis deputy commissioner of Udupi district by watering the plant.
In her message Priyanka Mary said that the use of plastic has been prohibited in Karnataka State. In order to make Udupi District free from the use of plastic. Villagers and students should come forward and avoid using plastic articles. They should use cotton carry bags for their daily use. This mission should start from each and every home. Youth have an additional responsibility of convincing their parents and family members not to use plastic bags and goods. The district can become plastic free if each and every village takes up the anti-plastic drive.
Speaking further, Priyanka Mary Francis said that waste management should start from our homes. The perishable waste can be used to produce compost which would be useful for vegetable and fruit plants as well as for agriculture. Everyone in the household should take the responsibility to keep their surroundings cleans. People should avoid burning plastic as the fumes produced by burning plastic can cause cancer. In order to avoid such problems, people should avoid using plastic articles and use items which are environment friendly. The District Administration has already adopted policies to promote clean environment and people should cooperate with the administration to keep the environment clean and safe. The District has been already declared as open defecation free district. In the same way, it is the responsibility of everyone to help in making the district waste free.
Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, who presided over the programme said that the world is our home and it is our responsibility to maintain and develop it in a healthy way. Global warming is causing harm to the earth, scarcity of water will increase. The destruction of forest resources in the name of development has been causing a lot of damage to the environment. The air we breathe and the food we eat has become poisonous. Wherever one sets his or her sight, he or she would see and feel the pollution. In order to be free from such problems all of us should be aware of the evil effects of environment degradation. The Bishop further said that last year he had gone to various parishes to spread awareness on safeguarding the environment and planting more than 20,000 saplings which would help in increasing the groups water level. Besides, by harvesting water and using solar energy we can try to reduce environmental imbalance. Moreover, by taking a pledge that we will avoid the use of plastic goods we can help in preserving our environment in a big way. The Bishop also said that Mahatma Gandhi’s and Prime Minister Narendra Modi,s dream of clean India can be realised if as individuals we start the programme of ‘clean India’ in our homes and surroundings.
The programme was attended by Fr Valerian Mendonca- Parish priest of Mother of Sorrows Church and Dean of Udupi deanery, Fr. Lawrence Cutinha- ICYM Udupi Deanery Director and Steven Pinto- ICYM President of Udupi Unit.
Dion D’Souza- ICYM Udupi deanery President welcomed the gathering and Secretary Shiny Alva proposed the vote of thanks.
