Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Mar 25: Anti Pollution Drive (APD) in association with students of PA College of Engineering observed Earth Hour at Forum Fiza Mall here on Saturday March 25. This event will continue till Sunday March 26.

Addressing the gathering, executive director of PA Educational Trust Abdulla Rahim said, "It is good to see a large number of students coming together for this initiative. This initiative has been taken up with a purpose and we need to make sure we are available for such events. I thank the founder of Anti Pollution Drive Abdulla Rehman for taking up this initiative."

Manager of Forum Fiza Mall Manoj Singh said, "Earth Hour is a global movement for the planet organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The event is held worldwide annually encouraging individuals, communities, households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour. I thank everyone for making this possible."

Deputy mayor Rajaneesh, ACP Uday Nayak, MCC commissioner Mohammed Nazeer and others were present.

This event will focus on celebrating the Earth Hour 2017 and spreading the message of environmental conservation and sensitizing the importance of sustainable living amongst the Mangaluru city dwellers.

Students of PA College of Engineering, Forum Mall staff, APD members and volunteers as well as dignitaries went on a 'mobile torch march' from Forum Mall to Clock Tower and back.

Forum in association with the retailers switched off the signage lights and other less important lights for an hour to mark the Earth Hour. There was also a candlelight dinner in the mall's food court.

On March 26 early morning, a bicycle rally will be organised by Mangalore Bicycle Club and a day-long workshop will be conducted by Anti Pollution drive on the importance of waste segregation and environment pollution to the customers of the mall.