Series of programmes mark World Environment Day in capital

New Delhi, June 5 (UNI) A series of programmes to spread awareness about the need to preserve the environment are being held in the capital on the occasion of World Environment Day today.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit planted a sapling at the central ridge at Sardar Patel Marg this morning.

Later in the evening, she would inaugurate an exhibition of eco-friendly products and release a book on 'towards Greener Delhi' at Delhi Haat.

To spread awareness about environmental issues among children, the National Bal Bhawan organised an environmental rally on the theme of 'Desert and Desertification' with the slogan 'Don't desert drylands'.

The rally was led by a Palanquin and followed by 5000 children of the Bal Bhawan and Jawahar Bal Bhawan Mandi (rural unit of NBB) holding banners on the need to preserve environment. The children marched from Nation Bal Bhawan.

The rally was flagged off by Jt Secretary with the Ministry of Environment and Forests Veena Upadhyaya.

The Heart Care Foundation of India and the federation of NCR doctors, jointly with the Union Ministry for environment and forests, were also organising a unique campaign in the slum areas using a tableau on the theme of World Environment Day 'Desert and desertification'.

The tableau would move all over Delhi along with a team of 'nukkad natak' and distribute pamphlets stressing the need to preserve the environment.

On the occasion of the Day, the Confederation of Indian industry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and forests, was organising a colloquium on corporate responsibility in Environmental protection at India Habitat Centre.

The objective of the programme was to make Corporate India aware of the various environmental issues including the theme of this year's 'World Environment day' which was 'Don't Desert Drylands'.

Union Minister for Environment and forests would be the chief guest at the function.

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