(Right) Aheto Sumi, Principal of CHSS plants a tree with the help of students during the occasion ‘World Earth Day’ observed in the school premises on April 19.
Schools show the way to save the earth
Dimapur, April 20 (MExN): A one month long “save the earth campaign initiated by Resource Centre, Dimapur in partnership with Earth Day Network culminated with the commemoration of Earth Day 2011 today. The campaign which received ample support from educational institutions and the media, was based on the theme “a billion acts of green,” the official theme for Earth Day 2011 worldwide.
Dr. Adela Mero, Research Executive Resource Centre, said that the campaign was based on the idea of “think locally act locally.” She said that “thinking globally acting locally” was a thing of the past and does not work in the local context. The campaign was supported by schools like Great Commission Kids Academy, Bethesda Higher Secondary School, Greenwood Higher Secondary School, Little Star Higher Secondary School, Pilgrim Higher Secondary School and Christian Higher Secondary School. The schools got involved in “Save the Earth” poster campaigns, painting and essay competitions, tree plantation and poem writing which were featured newspaper columns.
Mero said that the enthusiasm of students was very encouraging. She also appreciated the students’ efforts in creating awareness about the environment. She said the problem of earth, air and water is big but with concerted efforts we can solve some of it.
Member Secretary of the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB), Rusovil John also spoke on the occasion. He said that although the duty of the NPCB is to check pollution and implement rules it has been difficult. He said that people have still not learnt to use waste bins and lack of civic sense prevails. He strongly agreed on the notion that people must “thing and act locally” and the efforts must begin at the individual level. “We must begin at an early age and also spread awareness on civic sense.”
The Member Secretary further pointed out that air and noise pollution is on the rise in the state. The use of plastic bags is also creating havoc to the environment and suggested an alternate use of plastics. “Mixing plastic with bitumen for construction of road lasts longer. We can try it here as well,” he said. He also invited students to visit the paper recycling unit at the NPCB office in Dimapur. Further, he said that NPBC is willing to partner and assist anyone who is willing to clean the environment.
The Earth Day celebration was observed with performance based on themes about saving the environment. Rainbow Academy children presented the Earth Day promise song while other schools showcased their choreography on the similar theme. Bethesda Higher Secondary School and Christian Higher Secondary School students also presented slide shows.
Earth Day is becoming one of the most important hallmarks in the world of conservation and recycling. It carries with it powerful connotations of ecological responsibility and taking ownership of our planet. It is observed every year and over 200 million people on Earth participate in the event.
Students pledge to protect environment
Dimapur, April 20 (MExN): Christian Higher Secondary School, Dimapur in collaboration with Resource Centre, Dimapur, under the aegis of Dr. Adela Coppe, Administrator, Rainbow Academy, Dimapur, celebrated ‘World Earth Day’ with a day long colourful and enthusiastic programme within the school premises. A pledge to protect the environment was also taken up through a signature campaign from students and teachers.
A report submitted by the Current Affairs Club, CHSS stated that in view of the Easter holidays, the school observed ‘World Earth Day’ on April 19. Aheto Sumi, Principal of the school, inaugurated the programme which was organized under the theme ‘Billion Acts of Green’ by planting a sapling in the school premises in the presence of Dr. Adela Coppe, teachers and students. The Principal in his short speech briefed the students about the importance of plants, animals and birds for the well being of human kind. He urged the students to be compassionate towards our environment and stop hunting birds and wild animals so as to save our eco-system.
Gebu Haralu, the Vice Principal of the school delivered a brief history on the origins of Earth Day and its significance. He emphasized that it was everyone’s responsibility to do their bit in protecting and preserving the environment, no matter how small the effort might be.
The highlight of the day long programme included a prepared speech competition, painting competition, exhibition of models relating to environmental issues such as pollution, global warming, slide shows and Power Point presentations, and a special song on the environment which was presented by the students of Music Club of the school. To conclude the programme, two movies on environmental issues were screened to enlighten students on the importance of protecting and preserving our environment by adopting the principles of Reduce, Recycle and Reuse.
The programme was chaired by Atou Veronica, the school’s environment education teacher.
