Inland Windsors Receives Environment Excellence Award on WED

Inland Windsors Receives Environment Excellence Award on ‘World Environment Day 2016’

Mangaluru: The District Administration in association with Mangalore City Corporation, District Legal Service Authority and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), jointly organised “World Environment Day 2016” at the Town Hall here, on June 17.

Prior to the programme, a ‘jatha’ was held from Light House Hill road which culminated at the Town Hall premises. The cultural programme on Environment day was presented by Gejjenada dance troupe, Sequent Scientific Ltd and MCF group.

The programme began with an invocation by the students of Alva’s Education Trust. Environment officer from KSPCB Rajshekar Puranik welcomed the gathering. Chief Environment officer from KSPCB Bengaluru Nandakumar delivered the keynote address.

The programme was inaugurated by the Minister For Forest, Ecology & Environment Department B Ramanath Rai by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais.

Addressing the gathering, Ramanath Rai said, “When we are observing the world environment day, we need to think of protecting and preserving the environment. This year, we are observing the world environment day with the slogan, “Namma Nade Vanya Jiviya Kade” – we have only one earth and we have to protect it. We have done many mistakes and this is the right time to correct ourselves. We have learnt about the world through history and we all know the importance of the environment. The future is in our hands and we have to make it successful.”

He further said, “We need true lovers of the environment who understand the true meaning of environment. Now, there is a threat from global warming and we have failed to control it. To protect our forests, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had enacted the Forest Conservation Act 1980 and Wildlife Protection Act 1972.”

It is mandatory to leave 33% of land for animals but due to human greed, man has acquired more and more land. According to surveys, only 22% of the land is left for animals. God has given us the opportunity to live on this land. We need to protect forests for the animals. We should not acquire land which is reserved for them. If we encroach their land, they will migrate to the city and this will lead to further problems, he said.

Minister Rai also announced that from July 2 to 10th a statewide campaign called “Kotivraksha” will be held. He also announced the construction of an eco-park in Pilikula at a cost of Rs 18 crore, towards which the government has already sanctioned Rs 5 crore. While concluding Rai said, “To protect the environment, we have to protect animals, forests and trees. We have to think seriously about the protection of the environment and plant trees.”

Senior Civil Judge and Member Secretary of District Legal Service Authority Mallanagowda Patil administered the oath to the gathering.

Inland Windsors was awarded the ‘Environment Excellence Award’, an award given for a building with the best and most efficient environmental conservation systems in practise. Windsors received this award due to its environmental friendly systems such as the sewage treatment plant (STP), rainwater harvesting, recycling of waste water, solid waste management by means of garbage chute and proper disposal of waste, use of LED lights to reduce energy consumption, and extensive green spaces around the building. Chairman and Managing director of Inland Siraj Ahmed and Director Wahaj Yusuf received the award from Minister Ramanath Rai and MLA J R Lobo.

MLA Moideen Bava also spoke on the occasion. MLA J R Lobo delivered the presidential address. DC A B Ibrahim, ZP CEO Sreevidya, President ZP Meenakshi Shanthigodu, Dr G Sriniketan, Commissioner MCC Dr N Gopalkrishna, L Narayanaswami and others were also present.

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