PNS | DEHRADUN
As part of a performance-enhancing exercise for the 38th National Games, the State Sports minister Rekha Arya announced that saplings would be planted in the names of the medal-winning athletes. To carry on with this boosting initiative, the department is planning to develop Khel Van Park by planting over 10,000 saplings, she added.
“Pulling out all the stops to make the mega sports event a memorable and historic one, we have taken many initiatives. Aligning it with the ‘Go Green’ theme is one of them,” she said, adding that about 4,350 medals would be awarded in various sports events and an equal number of saplings would be planted by way of felicitating the winners.
Further commenting on the green initiative, Arya said that only certified green crackers would be used to mitigate the pollution caused by traditional fireworks. “The event will feature artworks and selfie points created from e-waste and discarded sports equipment for decoration. Solar-powered heating structures are planned for most sports venues to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources. Further, the medals and certificates to be presented to the athletes have been made from environmentally friendly and biodegradable materials. Trophies will also incorporate e-waste and wood waste, promoting environmental responsibility,” Arya said.
The Sports minister added that clothes would be used instead of plastic for event branding to minimise plastic use. “Electric vehicles will provide transportation for players and officials at the sports venues. Additionally, 2 MW capacity solar rooftops have been installed at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium to supply electricity to the sports venue,” she said.
“This event will not only celebrate athletic excellence but also exemplify our environmental responsibility and sustainability. Keeping the motto ‘Sankalp se Shikhar tak’ before us, Uttarakhand aims to demonstrate that sports can lead us toward a sustainable future,” Arya added.
