Shri K. Raju, Hon’ble Minister for Forests and Wildlife,
Shri V.K. Prasanth, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram,
Shri K. Muraleedharan, MLA,
Shri V.K. Madhu, President, District Panchayat,
Dr. S.C. Joshi, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, Shri James Varghese, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment,
Members of Vana Samrakshana Samithi andEco-Development Committees,
My beloved Students from various Schools,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,
I am very happy to inaugurate this year's World Environment Day Celebrations organized by the Department of Forests, Government of Kerala, and to release the special issue of ‘Aranyam’ and the ‘Harithakeralam’ Album.
At the outset, let me compliment the Department of Forests, Government of Kerala for organizing this celebration, which aims at creating awareness about the need to protect our environment. The decision to honour noted poet and environmentalist Smt. Sugathakumari, Shri C.K. Karunakaran and Institute of Foresters for their contribution to protection of Nature is also laudable.
As we all know, World Environment Day, observed on June 5 every year, seeks to promote awareness about preserving our biodiversity and the need to identify and solve the problems related to the environment. Initiated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, World Environment Day has been gaining better acceptance in society over the years.
We are also aware of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which was created through a resolution in the same year. Ever since, the observance of Environment Day has been sensitizing us to tackle environmental challenges that include climate change, global warming, disasters and conflicts, harmful substances, environmental governance, ecosystem management and resource efficiency. Since its beginning this day has emerged as an occasion for raising awareness and taking action on urgent issues. Millions of people have taken part in this celebration over the years, helping us to change our behaviour and consumption habits as well as in drafting national and international environmental policy. Above all, the World Environment Day reminds us that the life of our future generations will depend on how we act today.
The rising importance attached to the observance of World Environment Day over the years is certainly an indication of more people realizing that environmental protection is a citizen's duty. As a person from the Judiciary, I feel it is my duty to remind everyone, especially the children present here, that Article 48 A of Indian Constitution says that the State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country. And Article 51 A, which lists the Fundamental Duties of citizens, clearly states the need to protect our environment. Article 51 A (G) directs the citizens of the country to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.
I am certain that all of you have noted that this year's theme for the World Environment Day celebrations is “Connecting People to Nature”. It is very relevant in the Indian context, because our culture and sacred texts have always accorded great importance to living in harmony with Nature.
As time progressed, our obsession with modernity increased and so did our indifference towards Nature. However, it is good that our society has of late, realized the mistakes of our past and started showing genuine concern for the environment. Therefore, this celebration should be our re-dedication to connect our lives to Nature, not just for today, but for as long as we live in this earth.
Ideally, our concern for Environment should extend to the use of energy resources also. We should make energy conservation a part of our daily life and should consider using renewable energy and energy efficient equipment as far as possible. However, contributing to the greenery around us by planting saplings is the simplest act of kindness that we can offer to our environment.
But, planting seedlings is just not enough. There are two things we have to be careful about. One is the selection of the plants. Planting just for the sake of planting is not a good idea. We should think of planting more of useful or fruit trees like mango, jack-fruit or medicinal trees like neem. At least, let us make sure that we do not plant trees that cause health issues for people. Secondly, we should see a plant or tree as our own and take the responsibility to nurture it in all earnestness so that it grows well.
I think a word about what we are doing at Kerala Raj Bhavan will not be out of place here. As part of the Griha Chaitanyam project inaugurated four days ago, we have received more than hundred Neem and Curry-Vep saplings. Today, we will plant 50 Neem trees in our compound and all staff of Raj Bhavan will be given one sapling each for planting in their homesteads. We are also planting more jack-fruit and mango saplings in the land available at Raj Bhavan.
To conclude, let us not forget that a nation cannot progress by continuously depleting its natural resources. We have reached a stage where we have to pay Rs.20/- for a bottle of drinking water and it is high time we realized that Nature’s gifts like clean water and pure air are often hard to value in monetary terms. Those who destroy Nature in the name of development, should realize that wealth alone is not the parameter of growth. Our neighbouring country, Bhutan, talks of Gross National Happiness because it has realized that living in a cleaner environment increases people's happiness, which ultimately results in human development. In Happiness Index, India lags behind our neighbouring countries and it is our duty as citizens to make the Indian life happier by ensuring a cleaner, greener environment. The message conveyed by missions like Swachch Bharat and Harithakeralam is also the same.
I congratulate the Forest Department and the Environment Department on their decision to plant 72 lakh seedlings all over Kerala in connection with World Environment Day 2017. I must also mention the cooperation of non-governmentalorganizations, youth organizations, political groups, religious institutions, media, panchayats, Local Self Governing institutions and other departments has added vigor to this ambitious endeavour.
I hope our earnest attempts will enrich the greenery of Kerala in such a way that that the world would watch this land with admiration.
Ellaavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
