Sri Vijaya Puram, June 6: Government institutions and public sector organisations across Sri Vijaya Puram marked World Environment Day on Friday with plantation drives and awareness initiatives aimed at promoting environmental conservation, sustainability and community participation in protecting natural resources.
Among the major observances were separate tree plantation programmes organised by the CSL AN Ship Repair Unit (CANSRU) and the Andaman and Nicobar State Legal Services Authority (ANSLSA), both of which highlighted the importance of increasing green cover and encouraging environmental responsibility.
CANSRU, a wholly owned unit of Cochin Shipyard Limited engaged in ship repair activities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, observed World Environment Day at its Marine Dockyard in Sri Vijaya Puram through a plantation drive conducted under the Government of India’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign.
The initiative was aligned with the campaign launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB), as well as this year’s global World Environment Day theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”
Officials, employees and trainees of CANSRU participated in the programme by planting saplings within the Marine Dockyard premises. The activity was aimed at promoting greenery within the industrial facility while reinforcing environmental awareness among employees and stakeholders.
The plantation drive was attended by Unit Head Sreekanth V and Binu K Kuriakose, who addressed participants on the significance of environmental conservation and sustainable development.
During the programme, the officials highlighted the role of nature-based solutions in addressing climate change and protecting ecosystems for future generations. Participants were encouraged to continue supporting plantation drives and sustainability initiatives both within and outside the workplace.
According to CANSRU, the activity forms part of its ongoing efforts to promote a greener work environment and contribute to national campaigns aimed at increasing tree cover and strengthening environmental consciousness.
Meanwhile, the Andaman and Nicobar State Legal Services Authority also commemorated World Environment Day with a symbolic sapling plantation programme held within the premises of the High Court and District Court complex in Sri Vijaya Puram.
The event was organised to promote environmental conservation and highlight the role of citizens and institutions in preserving ecological balance.
The plantation drive was led by Rahid Alam and Subhra Bandyopadhyay.
With assistance from officials of the Department of Forests, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, saplings were planted within the High Court and District Court premises as a symbolic gesture of commitment to environmental protection.
Judicial officers, administrative staff of the High Court and District Court, and other participants joined the plantation exercise, demonstrating institutional support for sustainable environmental practices.
Officials said the programme was intended to create awareness about the importance of ecological conservation and encourage environmentally responsible behaviour among citizens.
The observance of World Environment Day by both organisations reflects a broader effort across the Islands to promote environmental stewardship at a time when climate change, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development remain important public policy priorities.
Tree plantation campaigns have increasingly become a central component of environmental awareness programmes, particularly under national initiatives such as “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,” which encourages citizens and institutions to plant and nurture trees as a tribute to their mothers while contributing to ecological restoration.
Environmental experts have consistently highlighted the role of tree planting in improving air quality, supporting biodiversity, reducing soil erosion and enhancing resilience against the impacts of climate change.
The participation of public sector organisations, judicial institutions and government departments in such initiatives is also seen as an important step in fostering a culture of environmental responsibility within public institutions.
As World Environment Day was observed across the country, the plantation drives in Sri Vijaya Puram served as a reminder of the collective role that organisations and individuals can play in preserving natural resources and promoting a greener future for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
