In Pics: Lights off as India observes 10th Earth Hour

Thousands of people across the country joined the global community by switching off extra lights in private and government buildings on Saturday evening to mark Earth Hour 2016.

Thousands of people across the country joined the global community by switching off extra lights in private and government buildings on Saturday evening to mark Earth Hour 2016.

The illuminated India Gate Rajpath before the Global Earth Hour movement. Lights were turning off to mark the 10th annual Earth Hour. (Sonu Mehta/ HT Photo)

The Rashtrapati Bhawan, before and after the lights were turned off (Sonu Mehta/ HT Photo)

Visitors to and residents of New Delhi saw several of the capital’s most iconic public buildings plunge into darkness, such as Rashtrapati Bhawan, North Block, India Gate and Rajpath.

North Block goes dark as the capital marks Earth Hour (Sonu Mehta/ HT Photo)

In Mumbai several government and private buildings, public landmarks as well as common citizens contributed to ‘cooling’ the Earth by switching off lights for an hour between 830PM and 930PM.

The lights of India Gate provide some illumination on a dark Rajpath (Sonu Mehta/ HT Photo)

Those who participated included several celebrities, film and television stars, industrialists and common people in the global initiative of the WWF which turns 10 this year.

A view of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus before observing Earth Hour in Mumbai on Saturday. (PTI Photo)

This year, the WWF is also promoting ‘clean and green country’ with multiple solar energy reforms following the Paris Climate Conference in December 2015.

The Grand Palace is seen with lights off during Earth Hour in Bangkok. (REUTERS)

Millions of people from 178 countries and territories are taking part in WWF’s Earth Hour this year, with landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Taipei 101 and the Empire State Building plunging into darkness.

A combination of pictures shows the Tokyo Tower before (L) and after its lights were switched off for Earth Hour in Japan. (REUTERS)

This combination photo created on March 19, 2016 shows Australia's iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge before (TOP) and during (BOTTOM) the Earth Hour campaign as lights are switched off in Sydney. (AFP Photo)

People stand in front of Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers before the lights went off in Kuala Lumpur. (AFP Photo)

A general view shows the financial business district skyline glitters with lights on before the countdown for Earth Hour campaign in Singapore. (AFP Photo)

(With inputs from agencies)