‘Forest: Nature at your service’-World Environment Day-2011 observed in Thottiyapatty watershed Forestry by SEVAI.

“Nature at your service” the theme of World Environment Day-2011 and Wed-2011 was observed in the Forest region of Water shed of Thottiyapatty by SEVAI,a local non Governmental Organisation..Thottiyapaty villagers walked along the forestry of Watershed region jointly promoted by SEVAI and FdnF. On this occasion, the founder of SEVAI Dr.K.Govindaraju enlightened the villagers about the WED-2011 and said “forest provides many important natural resources, such as timber, fuel, rubber, paper and medicinal plants. Forest also help sustain and availability of freshwater supplies. More than three quarters of the worlds accessible freshwater comes from forested catchments. Water quality declines with decreases in forest condition and cover, and natural hazards such as floods, landslides and soil erosion have larger impacts. The life and well being of a nation depends on its sustainable development. It is a process of social and economic betterment that satisfies the needs and values of all interest groups without foreclosing future options. To this end, we must ensure that the demand on the environment from which we derive our sustenance, does not exceed its carrying capacity for the present as well as future generations. This conservation is pre-requisite for sustainable development. World Environment Day (WED) is observed on June 5 every year to promote awareness on the importance of preserving our biodiversity, the need to identify problems related to the environment and ways to take corrective action. It was on this day in the year 1972 that the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment was formed”.

Dr.K.Govindaraju further said “Forests cover 1/3 of the earth’s land mass and play a key role in our battle against climate change, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere while storing carbon dioxide – this is what the theme aims to reinforce. Forests are one of our world’s greatest treasures, bringing us natural beauty, clean air and a place our cherished wildlife can call home. On World Environment Day, we are to realize a vision of providing all people, regardless of where they live, with easy access to clean, safe outdoor places near their homes or schools. Environmental consciousness is the foremost thought that will help each and everyone to contribute in their own way for preservation of our environment in spite of the growing pollution on account of industrial emissions as well as auto emissions. If people of India are blessed with clean air, clean water and clean environment, our life span will continue to grow, and our nation will produce some of the healthiest people, smart people and hard working people that will show to the world that our growing population can be tackled through whatever challenges that are ahead of us”. Earlier the villagers planted Fuel, Fruits, Flowers, Fencing trees in and around the Watershed Forest and introduced water conservation technology for Forest Protection..-Govin