Date:18/01/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/01/18/stories/2004011810600300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Challenge polluters of environment'

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JAN. 17. The Minister for Tourism, J. Alexander, today urged students and the youth in general to challenge the pollution of environment. "You should tell such people that they have no right to pollute the environment," he told a gathering of students from SSB School and St. Thomas School here.

The function was organised jointly by the Transport Department and the "Sahiti Kalavidara Vedike" as part of the "Courtesy Month" being observed from January 15 to February 13.

Talking about the climatic changes in Bangalore, Mr. Alexander recalled how in 1935, an Army officer from MEG Centre here was refused a fan by the Army Headquarters. "The officer was told that Bangalore was a `no-fan' area and did not require a fan. Today, even an air-conditioner will not do to keep off the heat," he said.

The Minister said citizens, instead of blaming the Government and the corporation, should themselves not pollute the environment. "Blaming others has become a fashion today," he said.

The Deputy Commissioner for Transport, R. Muniveere Gowda, spoke about the effects of pollution caused by motor vehicles. The retired Divisional Forest Officer, Pandi, administered an oath on protecting the environment.