Kolkata hails eco-conservation on World Environment Day

Kolkata: From sporting sustainable textiles to greening public spaces, residents of this eastern metropolis did their bit to spread awareness about ecological conservation on World Environment Day on Friday.

Saplings were distributed to children at the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum while conscious citizens in various pockets of the city planted saplings on their routine morning walks.

At sit-and-draw contests and puppet shows, school-goers were encouraged to think about ways to conserve resources since the environment day theme this year is "Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care".

Young and adults made a beeline for "Fulia Fashion" exhibition in Bengal's Fulia village, where fashion wear designed by Nandan Das from recycled "tant" textiles was on display.

The proceeds from the sales would be donated for the welfare of Fulia handloom weavers and to educate underprivileged children.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a tweet affirmed her government's commitment to "develop a green Earth".

At the Indian Museum, a session on environmental archaeology was wedged in between a multi-lingual play and a music concert.

To continue the celebrations through the weekend, the Indian cricket team would participate in a plantation drive in the city on Saturday while on Sunday as many as 100 trees would be planted in Jadavpur in south Kolkata.