New Delhi : Celebrating United Nations 2011 theme “The International Year of Forests”, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in consonance with Govt. of Delhi-NCT and North Delhi Power Limited (NDPL) celebrated Earth Day 2011 – “Forests for our future”. Present on the occasion was Mr. Keshav Chandra, Secretary, Department of Environment, Government of Delhi, Dr. R K Pachauri, Director General, TERI, Mr. Sunil Wadhwa, MD, NDPL, Ms Shalini Rao, Tetra Pak India Pvt Ltd and Ms Ranjana Saikia, Director TERI along with students and teachers from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chandigarh.

Along with the Earth Day celebrations, the event was marked by the closing ceremony of Phase II of project SEARCH (Sensitization, Education and Awareness on Recycling for a Cleaner Habitat) – a school environment education project supported by Tetra Pak India Pvt Ltd since 2009. The aim of the closing ceremony was to celebrate the milestones achieved during the second phase of the project. Students from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chandigarh were rewarded for their efforts at the prize distribution ceremony.

Praising TERI as well as the socially responsible corporate houses present at the occasion for bringing to the forefront the critical issue environment and the natural resources Mr. Keshav Chandra, said, “The world’s forests are being cut and burnt at such a rapid rate that if action is not taken soon, we risk undermining their vital function in maintaining a habitable planet. Already, forest loss is contributing to the extinction of plants and animals, increased flooding, disruption of climate patterns and increasing social and economic distress in many parts of the world. Indian civilization has always been environment friendly and as leaders of tomorrow children must take special interest in following our traditions of living with modesty and compassion and help in spreading the message to protect our mother Earth with love and affection.”

In his address Dr. R K Pachauri said ‘Forests are a treasure trove of our ecosystem. Today there are many stresses and challenges on the forest sector, where application of science can help in increasing the forest cover. But, its long term longevity and association with human kind lies on our shoulders. Maintaining the delicate balance of the forest ecosystem is vital, with increasing human intervention and exploitation of the forest ecosystem already impacting the climatic conditions and altering the environment. Students being the citizens of tomorrow will be most impacted by present actions around the world. They have the most to lose if action is not taken today, thus the challenge lies not only in building awareness but also in changing behavioural attitude.”

Mr. Sunil Wadhwa in his address, said, “NDPL has been aggressively creating energy conservation awareness though its ‘Energy Club programmes’ comprising of students from over 200 member schools in its distribution network of North & North West Delhi. It also educates its consumers about the benefits of adopting a low carbon lifestyle for reducing carbon emissions through various mediums. NDPL is also sensitive to the aspect of Climate Change and is committed to introduce energy efficient and greener technologies and focus on renewable energy for meeting power demands in its distribution network.”

Explaining Tetra Pak’s involvement on the Project SEARCH, Jaideep Gokhale, Environment & Communications Director, Tetra Pak, South Asia Markets through a message conveyed that, “It is our pleasure to be associated with TERI and Project SEARCH. The project has reached out to approximately 120000 students in 100 schools in Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai and Bangalore. It is a great learning to see so many young children turning into future icons in the field of waste management and recycling. At Tetra Pak, we believe in delivering sustainable choices that are ‘Good for You and Good for the Earth’ and as Project SEARCH advances in Phase III, we hope to see this materialize into many successful waste management programs at these partnering schools.”

At the prize distribution ceremony, winners of dance, quiz, photography and debate competition were awarded with prizes by the Hon’ble Chief Minister Smt Sheila Dikshit. Earlier in the year as part of Project SEARCH, 20 students were selected as Tetra Pak Ambassadors and 26 students were selected for a leadership training programme known as STEP. They were also felicitated by the Chief Minister and later shared their experience of being part of Project SEARCH with all present. An exhibition named Tara exhibiting paintings and models made out of waste materials by students as part of ‘Kabaad Se Jugaad’ competition was also held.

Through activities on this day, TERI and other partnering organisations aim to educate, mobilise and inspire students and general public on environmental protection, urging them to take action at personal, community, national and at international levels through various activities such as painting, debate competitions, quiz, and dance competitions. This year also the activities started from 13th April onwards. The assembled children also pledged to restore the rich bounties of nature by planting trees in schools and neighbourhoods; eliminate the differences between the rich and the poor, the rural and the urban, and the privileged and the underprivileged; do their share in saving the Planet by letting their concern for the environment show in all activities; and to create a sustainable environment.