Visakhapatnam: IGZP celebrates World Environment Day
On the occasion of World Environment Day, 5th June 2023 Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, Visakhapatnam Division, and Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam jointly organized a program named “MEET FOR ENVIRONMENT”. District Collector Mr. A Mallikharjuna, IAS as Chief Guest, Sri. Saikanth Varma, IAS, Commissioner, GVMC, Sh. Anant Shankar, IFS, DFO Visakhapatnam, Dr. Nandani Salaria, IFS, Curator, IGZP, Sh. Ravi Kiran, Addl. Commissioner of Central Tax, VPT Deputy Chairman, and other senior government officials graced the occasion and discussed about the environmental issues and the importance of conservation.
During the speech, District Collector Sh. A. Mallikharjuna, IAS discussed various conservation methods that can be implemented to mitigate environmental degradation and also stressed the significance of sustainable practices, such as efficient waste management, renewable energy adoption, water conservation, and afforestation.
He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts between government agencies, corporate entities, NGOs, and citizens to achieve observable changes in a successful up liftmen of the natural environment. The event witnessed the participation of esteemed guests from various sectors including the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, IOCL, NTPC, Corporate companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), educational institutions, etc.
The Meet for Environment program aimed to create a platform for knowledge-sharing and collaborative efforts to address environmental concerns. The joint efforts of the AP Forest Department and Indira Gandhi Zoological Park brought together stakeholders from various sectors, fostering a spirit of unity and shared responsibility toward battling various environmental issues in the city.
Throughout the event, participants engaged in insightful discussions, panel sessions, and presentations on various conservation methods. The program provided a valuable opportunity for corporate companies to showcase their environmental initiatives and underscore their commitment to sustainability. The contributions of NGOs and educational institutions were equally significant, as they shared views.
In recognition of exceptional contributions to the field of environmental conservation, the organizers felicitated some organizations and individuals who were addressed as Champions Of Environment by APFD, Visakhapatnam Division, during the event. These honorees exemplified outstanding dedication and efforts towards safeguarding the environment, serving as role models for others to follow.
People felicitated APFD includes 1. Sri Sanjay Kumar Vasudevan, Executive Director, IOCL, 2. Sri Sanjay Kumar Sinha, Group General Manager, 3. Dr. M. Rama Murthy, retd. professor from Andhra University, 4. Sri Y.Appala Reddy , Indian Youth for Society, 5. Sri Jakka Amarnath, Animal Warriors Conservation Society, 6. Sri Masenu , turtle protection watcher, 7. Sri V. Bonji Naidu, Care Taker, Central Nursery. The Meet for Environment program served as a powerful catalyst for collaboration and knowledge exchange, encouraging participants to take proactive steps in their respective domains to protect our planet.
Sri Dhritiman Mukherjee, renowned conservation photographer, shared his remarkable experiences and showcased some of the rarest photographs he captured during his expedition. He also emphasized the vital connection between human beings and the environment through his conservation stories that were delivered from his photographs which highlighted the need to protect and preserve our natural world for future generations. Ms. Rishika Pardikar, the other speaker of the day presented her views focused on environmental reporting, wildlife, and climate change, and gave insights on environmental reporting in India highlighting the challenges faced by journalists in these crucial matters.
The purpose of such awareness programs is to bring all sectors together and discuss the environmental issues with different perspectives and to learn as in how each and every individual and organization can work towards the environment conservation and amelioration, said Sh. Anant Shankar.
