Jammu | May 10 Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action (ICELA) has decided to launch plantation drive and mass awareness campaign in the state during the ensuing rainy season. Seminars, symposia, conferences, workshops, quiz contests, rural meets and green marches to highlight the need of planting trees and protection of environment would form part of the campaign. This was decided at a meeting of the functionaries of ICELA held under the chairmanship of its State Convener Ashok Sharma in connection with 19th foundation day of the organization. Other issues that came under discussion included the need for provision of potable drinking water, sanitation, enhancing green cover, controlling forest fires, preservation of water bodies and wildlife, control of industrial, vehicular, air, water and noise pollution. The meeting stressed for earmarking adequate funds in the 11the five-year plan to address these issues effectively. For the purpose, matter would be taken up with state and the central governments. ICELA appealed all NGOs to give top priority to environment in their agenda of activities as it being necessary ingredients for sustaining life on this planet. It should take the shape of mass movement, the meeting added. The meeting among others was attended by Ch. Vidya sagar, Harbans lal, Moti Lal Koul, Dr. J.L. Gupta, S.N. Sharma, J.D. Singh, Naresh Sharma, Bharat Bhushan, S. Rajinder Singh and Dr. B.R. Baba.
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