Railways rallies public support for environmental conservation

Patna: Ahead of World Environment Day, the railways has launched an awareness drive in Danapur, Sonepur and Samastipur divisions of the East Central Railway (ECR) to sensitise railway employees, their families and the common people about the importance of environmental conservation and cleanliness.As part of the campaign, ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ has been launched in these divisions. Under the initiative, people have been urged to plant a sapling in the name of ‘mother earth’ to help maintain ecological balance and ensure cleanliness in surrounding areas.According to ECR’s chief public relations officer (CPRO) Saraswati Chandra, railway officials and employees actively participated in the plantation drive by planting saplings at offices, railway colonies, workshops, school premises and station campuses across the divisions. The initiative aims to promote a greener environment and spread awareness about the need for sustainable living practices, he said.A senior railway official of Sonepur said the awareness campaign which started on May 15, reflects the railways’ commitment towards environmental protection and public participation in green initiatives. The plantation and awareness drive will continue till June 5, the day World Environment Day is observed globally, he said.The CPRO said the ongoing campaign has received encouraging participation from railway staff and local residents, reinforcing the message of collective responsibility towards nature conservation. ‘Nukkad Natak’ and poster campaigns are being adopted as a viable medium to create mass awareness among the common people to help railways keep the premises and station surroundings neat and clean, he said.In addition, the railways campaign also focused on discarding use of plastic and polythene. Instead people should use cotton or jute bags to carry their essential commodities, he said, adding the railways has already installed plastic bottle crushing machines at all major stations of the ECR.