People's Participation essential in Making Delhi global city:Sheil

New Delhi, Apr 5 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has said any effort to make Delhi a clean city will have to ensure participation of common citizens especially children and students.

She emphasised that efforts in making Delhi a clean and green city had many dimensions and any government would not be able to take up this challenge without constructive cooperation of the people. She was speaking after inaugurating Eco-meet 2006 here.

The involvement of people in solving issues like pollution caused by vehicular emission, plastic bags, effluent discharge in rivers and disposal of garbage generated from homes was essential, she said.

Delhi's experience with children participating in clean environment drives had proved beyond doubt the relevance of their involvement in such issues which also sensitises elderly towards them, she added.

The main objective of the meet was to have an interaction among various eco clubs with each other and to know more about their environment, Ms Dikshit.

As many as 1600 school and college eco clubs of Delhi were participating in the meet, she added.

The chief minster also released a poster on environment and released two books written by Bal Bhawan Director Madhu Pant.

Eco-Meet 2006, organised by Delhi government's Environment Department, was being held from April 4 to 6 at National Bal Bhawan here.

Outlining the task of making Delhi an international city as first and foremost priority of her government, she reiterated that efforts in this direction entailed management of garbage, control of pollution and general sanitation.

These could only succeed if the government works in tandem with the common people in the city, she added.

The chief minister also visited environmental related exhibition put up by children from across the capital.

Chief Secretary S Regunathan and Secretary Environment were also present on the occasion.

UNI IP AR RN1929