Mohali, June 6 -- Punjab's local government and parliamentary affairs minister Dr Ravjot Singh launched a statewide plantation awareness campaign and urged citizens to completely shun the use of plastic during the state-level World Environment Day celebration held at Indian School of Business, Mohali, on Thursday. The event was organised by the department of science, technology and environment, Government of Punjab. Dr Singh distributed saplings, encouraging people to join the noble cause. He also disbursed Rs.8.10 crore in cheques to various departments for eco-restoration and virtually inaugurated two research labs at the Punjab Biotechnology Incubator. He further highlighted the state's ban on single-use plastics. He released multiple publications, including "Phenomenological Wonder of Nature" in Gurbani, and a bilingual "Encyclopedia dictionary of environment and climate change", besides a technical report titled "Pathways to net zero in Punjab." The Shaheed Bhagat Singh Punjab State Environment Awards 2025 were presented to outstanding contributors, including gram panchayats, schools, NGOs and industries. Eight grassroots innovators and top-performing districts in eco-innovation were also felicitated. Balbir Singh Seechewal, Rajya Sabha MP, emphasised the role of collective responsibility in environmental conservation.htc...