Lucknow, Aug 27 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Tuesday termed the role of media important for social awareness and social conversation.

The media along with the public must work pro-actively in the important realm of water conservation and environment conservation, he said.

The chief minister said that on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year, work should be done with an aim to make the state polythene-free by October 2.

He was speaking at the UP Ratan Samman-2019 organised by Hindi newspaper Daink Jagran, I Next and Radio City.

Adityanath honoured 25 talented people from different sections of the society for their contribution to the society, a statement issued by the UP Chief Minister's Office said.

He said there has been a "tremendous" decrease in the number of people affected by encephalitis in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and it was made possible due to public awareness and efforts of the state government and the media.

The chief minister said the Uttar Pradesh Maati Kala Board has been formed.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)