Dalai Lama asks people to preserve environment

TAWANG ( Arunachal Pradesh): Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama today asked people to preserve environment and work for development of religion, health and education.

Expressing concern over climate change and global warming, the Dalai Lama said he always told people to preserve environment.

"Do not use plastic bags and do not litter, keep your surroundings clean," he said.

Praising development in the region, the Dalai Lama said the situation had improved significantly comparing to what he saw when he came here from Tibet 50 years back.

"I am impressed about the efforts of people to preserve religion and culture and for development of education and health," he said in an address to the public at the Tawang Higher Secondary ground on the fourth day of his visit here.

Stressing on the development of education, the Dalai Lama, who spoke in Tibetan language which was translated in Monpa and Hindi by the translators, said the sector should be open to all.

"There are two types of education, one technical and the other religious, and both are very important," he said.

Western countries like America, Canada and Japan have made tremendous technological advancement but it is important to pursue traditional and religious education as well, he said.