<p>Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepaani Limited-Project Implementation Directorate (KUKL-PID) organized an inter-school speech competition on June 5 on the occasion of World Environment Day-2023. The competition was organized with an objective to spread awareness among school students about protecting environment by taking action towards plastic pollution reduction.&nbsp;The title of the speech competition was &lsquo;Plastic pollution harms, let&rsquo;s save the water&rsquo;.</p> <p>Shristi Gautam from Mid Baneshwor-based Ratna Rajya Secondary School bagged first prize, Anju Bhusal from Tripureshwor-based Viswa Niketan Secondary School bagged second prize and Ganesh Simkhada from Maharajgunj-based Shivapuri Secondary School bagged third prize. Similarly, Nirjala Satshankar from Bhaktapur-based Araniko Secondary School and Alok Shree Rijal from Viswa Niketan Secondary School received consolation prizes. Awardees received gift hampers, cash prize and a sapling for plantation.</p> <p>During the program, Chandra Bhakta Bista, Team Leader, CASSC-03 welcomed the participants and shed light on the importance of organizing such programs while Pramila Bhandari, sociologist from PID hand over award certificates to the awardees. Similarly, Bidhya Bhandari from PID handed over a certificate of appreciation to the principal of Shivapuri Secondary School for their contribution as co-organizer of the program. A token of love and certificates of participation was also handed over to all participating schools and students.</p> <p>During the program, the participants talked about the current scenario of plastic pollution with facts and figures as well as suggested all concerned to take necessary steps to beat plastic pollution. The program was organized at Shivapuri Secondary School. A total of 20 students from ten schools in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur had participated in the competition.</p>