Thiruvananthapuram sources have added that Governor P. Sathasivam has called upon the public to protect the environment for the sake of future generations. Meanwhile when inaugurating the State-level celebration of World Environment Day at Nishagandhi Auditorium here on Monday, Mr. Sathasivam said society had grown more aware of their responsibility in this regard.
He said along with planting trees, citizens should also nurture and maintain them. Students, in particular, should take part in the planting of saplings and Mr. Sathasivam stressed on the importance of environment-friendly lifestyle, such as the use of steel utensils instead of plastic ones. The Raj Bhavan had set a precedent for this, he said, through the prohibition of plastic bottles and the use of pipe water.
Moreover the Governor said that saplings such as
medicinal plants and fruit-bearing trees such as mango and jackfruit that
benefit the local population should be planted. He flagged off the celebrations
by planting an ilanji sapling on the Kanakakkunnu palace premises.
Forest Minister K. Raju, who presided over the function, said the Forest Department would no longer distribute saplings of acacia and eucalyptus species owing to their invasive nature and the Governor distributed awards for contributions to the field of environment protection.
