We all live in an environment that has provided us with a bounty of resources. But sustenance of this environment is slowing down. It can be rejuvenated if we step into action, and do something about. It doesn’t have to be something ground-breaking but something as small as taking public transport rather than fuelling up your car. The Union Minister for Environment Climate and Forest Change Harsh Vardhan recently inaugurated four galleries at the Indian Museum — three with zoological specimens and one with botanical specimens. Addressing the crowd, he had said that people need to perform at least one good green deed a day, and this is bound to create a significant change in the environment.
These good deeds can be anything from conserving water, carpooling to conserving energy etc.
A senior clinical data manager feels that if we live in this environment, then we should be responsible for it. Amita Parihar feels, “We have to live in this environment and if each person does one small thing, it would create a great impact. I ensure that I don’t litter. For long trips, I keep a plastic bag in the car which I use to throw wrappers and other garbage. I have also taught my three-year-old to save water. He now makes sure that he lets us know when water is being wasted.”
Sustaining the environment is a win-win both for our surroundings as well as ourselves. Sandisha Mukundan says, “I try and take the office cab instead of using my my own vehicle. I also have a home garden where I grow both vegetables and flowers. The vegetable that we get from the market are not guaranteed 100 per cent safe. By growing my own vegetables, I know that the food my family eats is free of any pesticide. Composting is also something that I do regularly.”
Cricket too has started green initiatives. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium is the first in the country to use solar panels and has a SubAir drainage system.
Avinsh Khurana, an interior designer feels that it is our responsibility to care for the environment. “As individuals, we need to understand and take up the responsibility to do one good green deed, then we surely can make a great impact on the environment. After all, all great deeds are done by a series of small deeds brought together. The one thing that I do everyday is to ensure that I as well as people associated with me don’t litter — it is one of the easiest thing one can do.”
Sociologist Sowrabha C says, “In the name of advancement, urbanisation and technology, somewhere people are looking at comfort and luxury thereby compromising on natural settings. We ought to look into the present. In the current situation, we need to strike a balance and sensitivity needs to increase. Eco-friendly measures are needed both by government and individual initiatives that happen at a micro level. Every person needs to take up responsibility rather than leaving it to one person. It needs to happen both ways — micro as well as macro. Doing your own bit creates a big impact.”
