Vikas Kumar
Sri Vijaya Puram, 06 June 2025
As part of the World Environment Day 2025 celebrations, the Department of Environment & Forests, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, organized a special event at the Government Saw Mill, Chatham, highlighting the global theme ‘Ending Plastic Pollution’.
Reaffirming its commitment to environmental protection, the Department has been consistently conducting beach clean-up drives and public awareness campaigns aimed at curbing plastic pollution across the Islands.
The event saw the inauguration of ‘Van Sanchar’ by Mr. A.K. Biswal, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), in the esteemed presence of Mr. Sanjay Kumar Sinha, IFS, PCCF (ANI). A bust of Durgaprasad was also unveiled on the occasion, honouring contributions to the forestry sector. Additionally, the newly developed e-SMART (Electronic Saw Mill Application Resource Management and Tracking) application was launched to digitize operations and enhance transparency at the saw mill.
The Government Saw Mill, through its supply of wood and wood-based products, plays a significant role in promoting sustainable alternatives and reducing dependence on plastic materials.
As part of the national campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, a tree plantation drive was also conducted. Addressing the gathering, the dignitaries emphasized the urgent need to reduce plastic pollution and acknowledged the pivotal role played by the Department of Environment & Forests in environmental conservation across the Islands.