Badal calls for peoples participation to save enviornment

Ludhiana, Sep 2 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the people in general and non- government organisations (NGOs) and voluntary organisations in particular to play a pro active role for the conservation of environment and ecology to save mankind from the ill effects of pollution.

Presiding over a function after inaugurating an exhibition "Seeds of Change": The Earth Charter and Human Potential" organised by Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG), the Indian affiliate of Soka Gakkai International (SGI) here at Punjab Agriculture University, Mr Badal said that there was an urgent need to change the mind set of the people and to involve them in bringing social transformation of the society through participatory approach as government alone was unable to achieve the desired objective and impact. He appreciated the efforts of BSG for kindling the spirit of awareness particularly in the younger generation on enviornment issues.

The Chief Minister hoped that the exhibition would go a long way in imbibing the sense of clean and pollution free environment among the people of the state in line with the ethical principals for building just, sustainable and peaceful global society in the 21st century.

He emphasised the need to educate the people on rain water harvesting, planting trees and sustainable development especially in the rural areas to make Punjab more green and pollution free.

Speaking on the occasion Director General of BSG Ms Naveena Reddi said that Soka Gakkai International (SGI) is a non- governmental organisation with twelve million members spread out in 190 countries. She said that 'Seeds of Change ' exhibition was of peculiar interest to the growing generation.

She said that it has already been organised in many cities in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune, Chennai, Banglore, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Nashik, Shanti Niketan, Bhubneshwar, Chandigarh, Shimla , Solan and Jalandhar.

Earlier a short documentary film jointly produced by SGI and Earth Charter was shown to the audience to apprise them about the world wide initiatives taken by the SGI for protecting environment, besides ensuring sustainable development and ecological balance.

UNI