Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Dec 18: Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi inaugurated an environment sensitization programme ‘Our Environment Our Responsibility’, at Mother of Sorrows Church on Sunday, December 17.
The bishop inaugurated the programme by watering a plant. It programme was held by Indian Catholic Youth Movement, Udupi deanery in the leadership of Udupi unit to build a plastic free society and to bring awareness about the harms of use of plastic.
The chief guest of the programme, deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis addressing the programme said, “According to 2011 survey, the population of Udupi CMC is 1.65 lac. The CMC generates around 65-70 TPD of solid waste, Manipal area alone generates around 18-20 TPD. The source segregation is not complete, but CMC recycles whatever possible. Some organic waste goes to biogas plant and the remaining waste will be dumped at the dumping yard.
“Burning plastic is a punishable offence. It produces dioxide and chemicals causing cancer. Though we are educated, we ignore such things. The attitude and mindset of people has to change regarding solid wastage management. Just 30 years ago, there was a culture of using eco friendly utensils at home. But now, people like to buy ‘Use and throw’ things and it is increasing day by day,” she said.
The DC further said how she has asked officials to develop green culture in all district administration department hence avoiding pet bottles in meetings and sessions.
“Everyone should try to buy recyclable commodities to lead a healthy life. Green culture should be encouraged from home, programmes, and debates. People should use natural decorative items like flowers and cloth. Thermocol is another poison which should be avoided. People should avoid producing waste or try to reduce it as much as possible.
“The people of the city should not expect civic workers to segregate domestic waste like diapers or decomposed materials. It is always better that people segregate these things at home first. The bio-degradable process should be start from home itself. In this way, ICYM can play a great role in educating and creating awareness among public,” she said.
Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo said, “World is like a home. Conserving and nurturing our environment is everyone’s responsibility. Temperature is increasing day by day and the water level is coming down. Deforestation is taking place in the name of development. We all are inhaling poisonous oxygen. There is wastage which is polluting our environment.
“Everyone should be aware about environment protection and live in healthy surroundings. That would be the contribution for the future generation. Let us be conscious about rain water harvesting, using solar energy and so on. If not so, we are inviting danger. Let the campaign ‘Swachh Bharath’ start from our own home. Everyone should take personal interest to make our society plastic free. Around 19 liters of water is required to produce 1 unit of electricity. Planting a sapling will help many creatures along with human being. That is the biggest contribution for future generation,” he said.
A Srinivas Rao, chief planning commissioner of Udupi zilla panchayat delivered a special lecture on environment protection.
A rally and street play under the banner ‘Go green, Go clean’ was organized as part of the programme. This is one of the major steps taken by ICYM Udupi deanery to keep the surroundings clean. A mime and banner painting competition was also conducted by ICYM members. They also distributed around 3,000 cotton bags to the public.
Fr Valerian Mendonca, vicar forane, Udupi deanery, Stewart Pinto, president, ICYM Udupi unit, and Fr Lawrence Cutinho, director, ICYM Udupi deanery were present on the dias.
Dion D’Souza, president, ICYM Udupi deanery welcomed the gathering. Shiny Alva, secretary rendered the vote of thanks.