On Thursday — World Environment Day — the city witnessed a slew of activities and green initiatives by the government, corporates, schools, retail chains and hotels.
While the Tamil Nadu pollution control board held a programme inaugurated by Environment minister N.T. Venkatachalam at the TNPCB headquarters in Guindy, the Centre of Climate Change and Adaption Research, Anna University and the government’s environment department conducted a walk at Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar.
An award distribution function was also jointly organised by the pollution control board and the environment department.
On the occasion, the ‘Sutrusoozhal Sudaroli’ award was presented to Ramnath Chandrasekar, a disciple of noted filmmaker Shekar Dattatri, under the category ‘Environmental Awareness and Education.’
Acting Chief Justice Satish K.Agnihotri planted a sapling on the High Court premises to mark the day. Nearly 50 saplings will be planted on the campus, according to official sources.
Corporates too joined in observing eco-friendly initiatives; TCS encouraged employees to buy eco-friendly products including document holders, pedometers and pen stands from an e-mart.
The employees of Vivanta by Taj – Connemara went on a cycle rally in the morning, sporting green t-shirts and did a clean-up around the hotel in Egmore.
“We are very committed to the cause of the environment. We have been conducting activities throughout this week, including giving pouches of seeds to our guests,” said the hotel’s general manager, Samrat Datta.
Many drives to increase the green cover were also organised.
Naturals chain of salons gave away saplings to each customer today at about 80 of its outlets, while The Ascott Limited, which developed the Somerset serviced apartments at MRC Nagar, engaged its residents in tree-planting initiatives, among other things.
“We conducted free emission checks for vehicles at MRC nagar; about 100 vehicles were checked,” said Ajit Koushik, General Manager, India, The Ascott Limited.
Casa Grande, which develops villas in the city, has taken a resolution to plant 1000 saplings in and around its properties, M. Arunkumar, Founder and Managing Director of the company said.
