Patna, Aug. 10: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has urged youngsters to come forward to save the environment from further deterioration and take steps to make up for the damage caused because of past activities.

He made this appeal while speaking at an “Earth Day” function organised yesterday at a government school in the state capital.

“August 9 is of special importance to India as on this very day in 1942, Gandhiji had given the call “Do or Die” while launching the Quit India Movement. On this very day this year, we are observing “Earth Day” because if we don’t protect our environment, the very existence of Earth would be at stake,” Nitish said while addressing a gathering of around 500 school students.

Bihar decided to observe August 9 as Earth Day as part of its effort to generate awareness among the younger generation about the need to protect the environment.

The departments of state environment and forests and human resource development jointly organised functions in 3,000-odd government high schools and select private schools across the state.

Students attending the functions took an 11-point pledge to protect the environment. The environment and forests department provided five saplings to each of the participating schools, which planted them on their school premises. The schools would be responsible for nurturing these saplings.