Save Earth, kill engine at signals

The campaign saw volunteers turn up at 16 signals across the city with placards carrying the slogan “#RedOff”. “The response was surprisingly good. Many motorists, including autorickshaw drivers, switched off their engines,” said C.B. Ramkumar, founder of GDP.

Whether it was the importance of conserving water or the need to switch off engines while waiting at traffic signals (and Bengaluru is full of them), citizens went all out to raise awareness about environmental issues on Wednesday on the occasion of World Earth Day.

Green Dreams for the Planet (GDP), an NGO, launched a three-day campaign to persuade motorists to turn off their engines at traffic signals. The benefits are multi-fold, they told motorists. Running engines at signals account for about 17 per cent of the total fuel consumption while exhaust fumes increase raises pollution levels at junctions. Members of Greenpeace, which has come in the cross-hairs of the Union Home Ministry over foreign funding, took to the streets to rally support for the embattled NGO and for the environment. Still images became a tool to highlight the rich biodiversity of Bengaluru and Mysuru at a two-day photography exhibition “Simple Perceptions – Nature is Art for Conservation”, organised at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat. Photographer Anil Annaiah scoured urban spaces where vivid flora and fauna continue to thrive.

Events for children

Geological Society of India, Bengaluru held debate, painting and slogan competitions while A Rocha India, an NGO, organised an event for children on the theme “Water Wonderful World”.

www.yuchaiie.com