‘State bird has become extinct, we are moving towards catastrophe’

Tribune News Service

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Amritsar, June 5

The World Environment Day was observed globally with the theme for 2016 as “Go Wild for Life - Zero Tolerance for Illegal Wildlife Trade”. Punjab, a state struggling to salvage whatever is left of its biodiversity, too, participated with full fervor in the celebrations. In Amritsar, the day began with a cycle rally led by Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi.

The rally began from Novelty chowk and culminated at the Company Bagh, where Joshi planted saplings and distributed them among morning walkers. “We need to save the environment for our future generations. We all must take steps in this regard and adopt a healthy lifestyle like cycling and walking, whenever possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, several NGOs also held green activities during the day including, green walks, plantation drives and awareness seminars. WWF India-Punjab collaborated with Big FM for painting competitions of school kids on the theme of ‘Save Water’ to sensitise children on environmental and ecological issues. The event was organised by Big FM at 45 locations across India. Commenting on the depletion of wildlife and flora and fauna in the state, Gunbir Singh, chairman, WWF India, Punjab, said, “When you protect wildlife, you also make efforts to protect its habitat. In doing so, you protect forests and in turn ensure the future of your generations with green lungs, flora and fauna. In Punjab, where the state bird, the Northern Goshawk of Guru Gobind Singh, has become extinct, the state animal is visible primarily in a couple of zoos, and the state tree has dwindled manifold, the problems stare us in the eye. And yet we are blind to reality, and are moving towards catastrophe.”

Kapsons, in association with citizen activists, also held a nature walk from the Mall Road to the Company Bagh. The green brigade was joined by Jagjit Singh Walia, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Amritsar, as he planted saplings along the roadside and at the Company Bagh.