Shimla, June 5 -- Himachal Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on the occasion of World Environment Day on Friday called upon people from all sections of society to make environmental protection a mass movement.

Addressing a gathering at the Ridge in Shimla, he said that clean water, fresh air, forests and rivers are invaluable natural resources that form the foundation of life. He said that protecting these precious gifts of nature is a collective responsibility.

The Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh plays a vital role in providing clean water and fresh air to North India and is therefore known as the "Lungs of North India".

He said that the state contributes ecological services worth nearly Rs 90,000 crore annually t...