Western railway planned series of virtual events to celebrate World Environment Day

Every year, World Environment Day is celebrated on 5th June across the globe in order to increase the awareness among people about the environment safety as well as to educate the need for environmental conservation measures. In view of the current scenario of COVID situation, Western Railway has a slew of activities lined up to mark this occasion with this year’s theme of 'Ecosystem Restoration’.

It will include webinar, virtual drawing & painting competition as well as felicitation of the Divisions/Units of Western Railway in recognition of the measures taken for ecosystem restoration. General Manager & other officers will observe the day with tree plantation drives.

According to a press release issued by Sumit Thakur – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, various initiatives have been undertaken by Western Railway for mitigating environmental impacts and reduce Green House Gas emissions and have resulted in desired outcomes. In view of the prevailing COVID-19 situation, Western Railway will observe the World Environment Day through webinar by following all COVID safety protocols.

Subhahjit Mukherjee, Founder of Mission Green Mumbai will address the webinar on Ecosystem Restoration/Rainwater Conservation. It will be attended by PHODs, DRMs, CWMs, other senior officers and staff. GM Alok Kansal will also inaugurate the recent environment-friendly initiatives implemented over Western Railway such as Rain Water Harvesting, Restoration & Conservation of Water body/ Garden, Automatic Coach Washing Machines and others.

The Divisions will be showcasing presentations on the various steps & efforts taken towards the conservation of ecosystem and also the pivotal role played by Railways in the restoration. To encourage as well as to promote the spirit for Green Initiatives amongst railway employees, it is planned to felicitate the Best Performing Units.

Similarly, in order to inculcate enthusiasm of the occasion amongst the family members of the employees, a virtual drawing & painting competition will also be conducted with the themes: Save the Forests; Reverse Climate Change; Conserving our Bio-diversity; Reduce, Reuse & Recycle. The entries will be collected virtually and the winners will be felicitated online by Tanuja Kansal – President – Western Railway Women Welfare Organization.

Thakur further informed that to create awareness amongst the passengers, jingles will be played across the public address system. Short video clips, Awareness e - posters & e – banners will be displayed on the digital screens at stations & railway premises. W. Rly’s social media platforms will also come out with attractive web cards to spread the message of Environment Conservation.

Speaking about the various Green initiatives adopted over Western Railway, Thakur stated that Western Railway is taking every efforts to reduce the carbon footprints and has implemented various initiatives in the last financial year. In this direction, Western Railway has undertaken massive tree plantations drives, beautification of Bhavnagar Terminus station with landscaping and gardening work, verticals gardens at various locations, commissioned Waste Water Treatment & Recycling plants, Solid Waste Disposal & Management System, Automatic Coach Washing Plants.

Similarly, Rooftop Solar Panels, Rain Water Harvesting Plants, etc has also been installed at various places. W. Rly also request the passengers to join hands in this noble cause to conserve the Mother Nature for the better future of our coming generations.