The Indian High Commission in Guyana earlier today commemorated World Environment Day with a tree-planting exercise at both the Promenade Gardens and the Monument Gardens in Georgetown.
According to the High Commission, this initiative is part of a series of events being held every month since March this year in the run-up to the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence Day in August 2021.
The Indian High Commission’s celebration of World Environment Day was held at Promenade Gardens and Monument Gardens in Georgetown.
The event at Promenade Gardens was graced by High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr K J Srinivasa; Minister of Natural Resources, Vickarm Bharrat; Chairman of Indian Commemorative Trust, Dr Yesu Persaud; CEO of Guyana Energy Agency, Dr Mehendra Sharma; Chairman of GuySuCo, Mr P.C. Dave; Managing Director of Bank of Baroda, Mr Arun Kumar Gupta; Swami Shivshankarananda from Cove & John Ashram, and Asst Commissioner of Police Mr Simon McBean, along with students from the Hindu College, Saraswati Vidya Niketan and Queens College. Additionally, representatives of HSS Guyana were also present at the ceremony.
While addressing the gathering, High Commissioner Srinivasa explained the importance of environmental protection and efforts made by the Government of India in this direction.
A few initiatives of the Indian Government towards environment protection are National Action Plan on Climate Change launched in 2008, Swachcha Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Initiative) launched in 2014 by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi, International Solar Alliance established in association with other countries, National Cooling Action Plan etc.
High Commissioner Srinivasa also informed of his government’s plans to help Guyana setting up solar energy/household panels for 30,000 Guyanese households in the hinterland/rural communities costing about US$ 10 million. India’s initiative to blend ethanol up to 20% into petroleum products by 2023 would not only help in reducing pollution and climate change but also give an impetus to the Indian sugar Industry.
As such, the Indian diplomat called on GuySuCo Chairman and Minister Bharrat to explore similar avenues in Guyana.
Meanwhile, Minister Bharrat while mentioning the importance of World Environment Day also explained that the Government of Guyana is taking care to balance both its responsibility to Guyana’s development as well as towards protection of the environment under the able guidance of H.E. President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. He also stated that students are the future of the country and advised them to set a goal and work towards achieving it.
Other dignitaries including Mr Yesu Persaud, Mr Mahendra Sharma as well as a few students also addressed the gathering and emphasized the importance of environment protection and advised everyone to take all possible care to protect mother earth.
The event concluded with dignitaries and the students planting the trees at the two locations.
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