Guwahati, Mar 23 (IANS): Assam's capital city Guwahati will observe Earth Hour, as many of its residents voluntarily switch off electricity from 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Saturday as a symbolic campaign to bring down the impact of global warming.

World Wildlife Fund, WWF-India, the organiser of the event here, has appealed to the people of Guwahati to observe Earth Hour by switching off electricity for one hour in that period to express solidarity with the global community's efforts to save energy.

Archita Baruah Bhattacharya, WWF-India programme officer, also said that students and people from different walks of life will also gather at Dighalipukhuri here in that time Saturday night.

WWF-India had also tied up with the Assam's cine actor, Kopil Bora, who is the brand ambassador for Earth Hour in Assam.

"Many parts of the city will be lit with the help of renewable energy sources, so people are made aware of the necessity of switching over to clean energy. Guwahati, along with many other cities in the country, are set to observe Earth Hour at the same time Saturday," Archita said.

"Through the Earth Hour we are not only saying to save energy, but also trying to promote renewable energy, which is clean and safe for our environment. Important and prestigious institutions in the city like Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra will switch off electricity during Earth Hour," she said.

To make the event more interesting, Kopil Bora will also perform a stage show in front of the gathering at Dighalipukhuri on the occasion of Earth Hour 2013.

WWF said India joined the Earth Hour campaign in 2009, when at least five million Indians across 56 cities supported the campaign by switching off non-essential lights on March 23.

WWF-India said there has been 40 percent increase in participation since 2009, with almost 200 cities and towns taking part in the campaign last year.