The devastating oil spill in Santa Barbara, California in the year 1969 was the incident that developed an insight and consciousness in the mind of Former Senator of US , Gaylord Nelson , to initiate a movement in America that led to bringing million Americans on street on 22nd April 1970, making it the First Earth Day to protest against the deterioration of Environment.
With this Global movement, Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Green Vigil Foundation and Earth Day Network commemorated ‘Earth Day 2019 – Protect Our Species’ campaign on 22nd April 2019, by conducting a citizen outreach campaign at Children’s Traffic Park, Dharampeth, Nagpur.
Promulgating this year’s Earth Day theme – Protect Our Species , members of Green Vigil Foundation disseminated citizens with colourful posters and placards on accelerating rate of extinction of millions of species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods, fish, corals etc. , it’s causes and consequences.
Members of Green Vigil emphasized on unprecedented global destruction and reduction in wildlife populations are caused by human driven activities like deforestation, habitat destruction, poaching, unsustainable agriculture, pollution, global warming and climate change.
Surbhi Jaiswal, Co-ordinator, Earth Day Network, India quipped, we humans being super species have overexploited our natural resources, polluted all environmental components, destructed our forests, disturbed the entire ecosystem, but unfortunately forgotten we are a part of it and will be worst hit by dire consequences. So, it’s a wake up call to realize and act before it’s too late.
Mrs. Karuna Singh, Regional Director South Asia and Country Director, Earth Day Network, India, appreciated the efforts being taken by Green Vigil Foundation and Nagpur Municipal Corporation for Environment Protection in the city.
The campaign was conducted under the able guidance of Shri. Abhijit Bangar, Hon. Commissioner of NMC, Shri. Aziz Sheikh, Hon. Additional Commissioner, NMC , Shri Ram Joshi, Hon. Additional Commissioner, NMC .
Kaustav Chatterjee, Surbhi Jaiswal, Mehul Kosurkar, Kalyani Vaidya, Sheetal Choudhary, Vikash Yadav, Bishnudeo Yadav, Kartiki Kawale, Sarang More, Ruta Dharmadhikari, Chinmay Dhiman, Vaibhav Pandey, Indrayani Thakare, Prajakta Pusadkar, Deendayal Temebkar and others worked hard for the success of the campaign.