Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Bill English has said that communities, organisations and individuals concerting efforts to preserve, protect and promote the environment deserved encouragement and support.
He was speaking at the launch of ‘Cherish Mother Earth,’ a Project that initiates and supports environment sustenance activities.
The event was held at the Manukau Indian Association in Papatoetoe on July 14.
Auckland based ‘Rainbow Celebrating Life Trust,’ created the Project to generate awareness among people to respect and honour the bounties of Mother Earth and preserve them for future generations.
Mr English later gifted a sampling of ‘Silver Fern,’ an indigenous plant to Trust Chairperson Dr Rajesh Joshi.
Among those present at the ceremony were Social Development Minister Paula Bennett, National Party MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Auckland Council Community Advisor (Papatoetoe) Nimi Bedi, community leader Ravinder Pal Singh Labana and others.
Gift to posterity
Dr Joshi said that ‘Tree’ is a precious gift that can be used for posterity.
“Gifting a plant or tree is like giving someone a part of your future. It would motivate people to focus more on the environment protection related activities. The Rainbow Celebrating Life Trust plans to organise a number of development and capacity building programmes in the coming months in Auckland. These would relate to tree plantation, protection, natural resource pooling and management,” she said.
According to Dr Joshi, due to the ever-growing needs and activities of human-beings, the pressure on earth has constantly been on rise. Constant disturbance to the environment in turns causes misery to humans. The latter’s greed overpowers their sense of responsibility towards Mother Earth.
Global Warning
“If sufficient steps are not taken now, our beautiful planet will be completely defaced,” she warned.
“We must educate, empower and encourage people to save the environment from all harm. ‘Cherish Mother Earth’ is an endeavour to return (may be in small measures) what Mother Earth has always been blessing us with. Let us not treat our home like a garbage bin. This is the only place where we can live.”
Dr Joshi said that the Trust would encourage tree plantation, backyard gardens and environment sustenance activities.
