Commonwealth Games organisers launch green initiative

New Delhi, June 6 (ANI): Organising committee of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2010 launched a green games initiative on 'World Environment Day' here on Friday.

To commemorate the participation of 71 participating nations, 71 jasmine saplings were planted in the "Commonwealth Garden of 71" which is created in Ashok Hotel.

Prior to the plantation ceremony, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit launched the green games micro site.

Dixit also unveiled the Commonwealth Games countdown clock with only 485 days left for the mega event.

In an attempt to host the first green games, the organizing committee has launched various environmental measures.

"We are formulating various green initiatives to ensure that basics of green energy, waste management, water treatment and management system are in place for hotels and game village," said Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman of the organising committee of the CWG.

Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor also advocated the concept of green games.

"The game will give us a wonderful opportunity for competition, entertainment and leisure. But what we leave behind must not be debris of environmental damage that perhaps past games have left behind. Instead it should be a legacy of both leisure and environment," he said.

Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh was also present on the occasion.

Delhi is to stage the 2010 Commonwealth Games at an estimated cost of 70 billion rupees. (ANI)