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Kalimpong, Feb. 28: Students of four schools of the subdivision walked 5 km today to spread environmental awareness among residents.

As part of the rally organised by Paryavaran Sangrakshan Committee, the children also cleared the stretch of plastic and other waste. People from four gram panchayats — Payun, Dalapchand, Echeey and Sangse — have come together to form the committee.

“Our committee is mainly trying to create awareness among people about different environmental issues like saving trees, misuse of water and dangers of littering the environment with plastics,” said committee secretary Bikah Waiba. “We find that most people do not really care and litter the place by throwing plastic everywhere. We want to stop this because it is not good for the environment and also creates a bad impression on tourists who visit the area.”

Waiba said the committee is also putting up posters on environmental issues and drug-related problems.

Students of Ram Dahal High School (located at Upper Echeey), St Peter’s School (Echeey), Payun Gumpa High School (Payun) and Dalapchand Primary and High School (Dalapchand) assembled at Upper Dalapchand, 8 km from here, at 11 am today for a demonstration on plastic disposal.

The rally started later, around 12 noon, from nearby Deolo Hill and ended at 18th Mile.