Mumbaikars, corporates join in Earth Hour

Mumbai, March 31 (IANS) Thousands of Mumbaikars participated in Earth Hour 2012 by switching off lights and other electrical gadgets while many corporate and public bodies also joined in the endeavour here Saturday night.

In many areas, fewer lights were visible, while in most housing societies and mega-housing complexes, only the essential lights were kept on as a precautionary measure.

A society office-bearer from Borivli, N.Z. Hussain said a majority of the members switched off their lights, but a few didn't participate, mainly because children were preparing for their ongoing annual examinations.

Several corporate and banks supported Earth Hour in a big way contributing to power savings and cooling the earth tonight.

ICICI Bank switched off lights and airconditioners at all its branches, offices and ATMs during the Earth Hour, said bank official, Ashish Singhal. However, ATM functions remained unaffected, he said.

Power producer and supply major Tata Power also conducted awareness campaigns and door-to-door movement to convince people to take part in Earth Hour.

It also organised a unique 'star gazing' event through Club Enerji, its nationwide energy conservation movement, involving school children.

In operation since three years, the Club Enerji movement has spread across more than 400 schools all over India and sensitized over 2.8 million people, achieving savings of over 3 million units of electricity till date, according to a spokesperson for the company.

In Pune, the National Defence Academy, the premier tri-services training institution, saved over 1,600 units of electricity by switching off all lights at its sprawling 8,000-acres of land on the outskirts of the city.