Union Ministry of Environment and Forests Joint Director K.K. Garg flagged off the march which was led by school principal Vishwa Bandhu and environment teacher Ajay Sharma. Addressing the marchers, Environment Society of India president S.K. Sharma stressed traditional practices in environmental conservation. The school student's have pledged to take care of some 200 saplings planted by CAPE.

In similar celebrations, the Green Environment Club, Chandigarh, organised an awareness programme on the theme Keep our water sources clean at the premises of the Government Central Crafts Institute For Women. Prof S.C. Jain of Panjab University's Department of Chemical Engineering, spoke on the occasion. He stressed the need to preserve and protect water resources and urged people not to dump garbage, filth and human waste in water. UT Technical Education Director S.K.Aggarwal also spoke. S.K. Sharma gave away prizes to the winners in various competitions relating to World Earth Environment Day. A programme of songs and dances was presented.

The National Service Scheme, Punjab University, and the Government College for Girls, Sector 11, also jointly organised celebrations of the ``World Earth Day'' at Janta Colony, Sector 25 this morning. The celebrations were attended by a number of social workers, community leaders, teachers and NSS volunteers. Dr C.L. Narang, Programme Coordinator, PU, stated that due to ecological imbalances there is a threat of natural calamities in the near future.

Vijay Laxmi, principal of the GCG, said that man had made a blunder in using nature for his vested interests.