Dr. Avnish Jolly, Chandigarh, 2nd Octuber, 2008 :To strengthen the eco-message of wildlife conservation Environment & Forest Department, Chandigarh Administration & YUVSATTA organized a Poster making Contest on the theme of ‘Live & Let Live’ at Nepali Log Hut in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary. Around 200 students from Govt. Model Sr. Sec. Schools of Sector 33 D, 35 D, 46 D, AKSIPS-41B & Golden Bells Public School participated in the event. The day for the children began with a walk along the forest early morning, where they observed the flora and fauna of the forest.
The lake inside the forest and well were major attractions for the children. Then, they were given an opportunity to express their observations and thoughts about environment in drawing and painting. Children enjoyed working in the midst of wild greens of the jungle. Some liked to work close to the lake, others preferred working under trees. Mr. Om Parkash, the Eco-club incharge of GMSSS-46D, also conducted an Eco-Quiz amongst the students. The event was Inaugurated by Sanjay Kumar, Finance Secretary, Chandigarh Administration by planting a tree and later he flagged-off a trekking tour organised for the students.
Appreciating the work of young students Mr. Ishwar Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests, Chandigarh Administration said these painting/posters very beautifully show how, especially in Chandigarh man can coexist with nature. Today due to ever increasing air pollution and with urbanization fast eating into wildlife areas there is a very serious threat not only to wildlife but also to very existence of human beings..The monkey, dog, cattle menance etc. which we see in Chandigarh, infect is the outcome of men-menance which nobody is taking care of. In his address Sunder Lal Bahuguna, noted environmentalist said that India is rich in biodiversity and wildlife and is one of the 12 mega biodiversity zones of the world. Northern India though primarily agrarian, holds a wide range of wildlife and biodiversity, which are an integral part of our surroundings. However intensive agriculture coupled with very high use of fertilizers/pesticides and day by day mushrooming growth of urbanisation and resultant land, air and water pollution, has caused an adverse effect on land and water resources with many species of wild animals, birds and other forms of life forms disappearing and becoming extinct.
Students who won the Painting & Slogan writting contest were honoured by Sunder Lal Bahuguna on the occasion and Saurabh Kumar, Dy. Conservator of Forests was also present of the occasion.
They winers were 1st Prize: Manmeet Kaur & Himanshi Beri of AKSIPS-41B, 2nd Prize: Karishma Rana of GMSSS-46 D, Shreeya of GMSSS-33D & Shailender of Govt. Model Hign School (TM), Sector 26, 3rd Prize: Jasmine Mangla, Vishu & Akash of of AKSIPS. Ajit Karam Singh International Public School was declared overall winner of the programme.
