Clean Shimla drive launched
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23/04/2008
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Tribune (New Delhi)
After introducing a scheme to save electricity by popularising the use of energy-efficient CFL lamps, the state plans to undertake energy audit of all government buildings to help reduce power consumption by at least 10 per cent. This was announced by minister of forests and environment J.P.Nadda while launching the seven-week "seeti bajao, Shimla bachao' campaign to check littering of the "Queen of Hills' involving schoolchildren. Members of the eco-clubs formed in schools would play the "whistleblower to warn the residents throwing garbage on streets and hill slopes. Nadda also flagged off a rally in which 400 schoolchildren from 20 eco-clubs participated. The campaign would conclude on World Environment Day on June 5. The government would work on various fronts to promote sustainable development. It would formulate an inter-sectoral strategy to effectively deal with environment-related issues after carrying out a comprehensive review of implementation of the laws concerned. He said as the protection of environment involved a number of departments and agencies they would have to work in tandem for effective enforcement of various laws. The Environment Ministry would be the nodal agency for purpose and it would convene a series of meetings for the purpose. Initially, the heads of departments concerned would be sensitised about the issues involved and the role their departments would have to discharge. In the next phase all key functionaries of departments would be involved in the exercise. He said disposal of non-biodegradable waste, particularly polythene bags and plastic material, was a major problem and the government had already directed the deputy commissioners to review the status of implementation of the State Non-biodegradable Garbage (control) Act. Special cells would be set up at the district level to monitor the implementation of the Act. A monitoring cell had already been established.