Southern Railways and APD Promotes Plastic-Free Future on World Environment Day
Mangaluru Central Railway Station-Palakkad Division of Southern Railways and Anti Pollution Drive {APD} Foundation Promotes Plastic-Free Future on World Environment Day
Mangaluru: Ever since its conception in 1974, World Environment Day has had a special theme relating to the pressing environmental concern at the time. The theme for the year 2018 is “Beat Plastic Pollution”, and is a call for individuals to take charge of their surroundings and realize the severity of using plastic in daily life. This year India will be hosting the World Environment Day, which is one of the most important days observed by the UN worldwide. A platform for encouraging awareness and propagating the need for protecting the environment, World Environment Day was celebrated on June 5.
Plastic, which is rampantly polluting our water bodies, harming marine life and posing a threat to human health, has been one of the major concerns of environmental bodies this year. Though a large part of the population depends on plastic for their daily use, nearly one-third of it is not disposed off properly and ends up clogging drains and choking the environment. Plastic can persist in the environment for nearly a thousand years before it fully disintegrates and keeping this in mind, many organizations and governments are always on the lookout for alternatives to tackle this menace.
Through this day, UN is making an effort to urge governments, industries, communities and people to unite in the fight against plastic and explore alternatives that are sustainable. With plastic making up ten percent of the total waste generated, half of it used is disposable or single-use. This presents a major problem as it is non-renewable and its manufacture and destruction exposes individuals and environment to many toxins, including carcinogens. World Environment Day is a call for awakening individuals to take charge of protecting their environment and to realize the severity of plastic usage in daily life. So, how are you helping the environment?
In order to bring awareness about the harmful effects of littering plastic materials, Mangaluru Central Railway Station-Palakkad Division of Southern Railways and Anti Pollution Drive {APD} Foundation in order to bring awareness on the theme of World Environment Day 2018, which is “Beat Plastic Pollution”, and to promote a Plastic-Free Future organized a programme on 5 June at the Mangaluru Central Railway Station premises. Addressing the gathering Shivashanker Murthy- Senior Division Medical Officer, Southern Railways said, ” Littering waste in the public not only spoils the beauty but also spreads various kinds of diseases. When garbage is piled up, it attracts mosquitoes and they start breeding, which later spreads malaria among people. Programmes like these will help in bringing awareness to the public not to litter and create a better and green environment”.
Also speaking on the occasion, Ramakumar- Senior Station Manager said, ” World Environment Day is the UN’s most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. Above all, World Environment Day is the “people’s day” for doing something to take care of the Earth. The Theme Each World Environment Day is organized around a theme that focuses attention on a particularly pressing environmental concern. The theme for 2018 is beat plastic pollution. We are happy to be associated with APD Foundation in bringing awareness about cleanliness, to keep our surroundings clean and green. Since lots of people travel by train, there are chances of huge waste from plastic bottles and other items. We should see that garbage is not thrown around, instead of dumped in the provided dustbins in the railway stations and inside the train. Let’s work together to maintain a cleaner and greener environment”.
Abdullah A. Rehman, Founder of APD Foundation, and P Feroze-Senior IPF of Southern Railways also spoke on keeping the surroundings clean and green, for a better and cleaner environment, so that we all can breathe clean air, and not polluted air- and also stressed on not to litter plastic materials. A skit on awareness of World Environment Day to maintain a clean environment was enacted by the students of Sri Gujarath English School-Mangaluru. Stickers were fixed on garbage segregation bins, for dry and wet waste.
Sayed Mohammed- Chief Health Inspector-SR welcomed and compered the programme. Volunteer of APD Foundation also helped out in the programme. P Sureshan-Chief Commercial Inspector-SR, Kishan Bangera- Deputy Station manager-SR, were among others present at the function.