Latest news with #LifestyleforEnvironment
India Gazette
7 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"India not a polluting nation, yet committed to net zero by 2070": Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on World Environment Day
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): On the occasion of World Environment Day, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasised the importance of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, underscoring its role in advancing India's environmental objectives under Mission LiFE. Pradhan added that although India is not a polluting country, Prime Minister Modi has committed to achieving the goal of Net Zero by 2070. Speaking to media persons, Pradhan said, 'In India, we are taking Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) forward. India is not a polluting country. Even then, PM Modi has assured the world community that by 2027, India will achieve the goal of Net Zero. Preparations for this will have to start from now...' He added, 'This time, the school and higher education departments are working together to speed up the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. Our aim is for every student and teacher to join this campaign...' Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off 200 electric buses in Delhi as part of the Delhi Government's sustainable transport initiative. He also planted a tree as part of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, which promotes environmental awareness and individual responsibility toward nature. The event was held in the presence of Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, and Delhi Minister of Industries, Food and Supplies, and Environment, Forest and Wildlife Manjinder Singh Sirsa. Prime Minister Modi shared a video message on his official X account during World Environment Day, urging people to deepen their efforts to protect the planet and overcome environmental challenges. In the video's caption, PM Modi wrote, 'This #WorldEnvironmentDay, let's deepen our efforts to protect our planet and overcome the challenges we face. I also compliment all those working at the grassroots to make our environment greener and better.' In the video message, PM Modi said, 'Prakriti Rakshati Rakshita', those who protect nature, nature protects them.'The Prime Minister highlighted India's ancient tradition of environmental balance, 'Balance in the environment has always been a part of our ancient tradition. It is said in our culture, 'Yat pinde tat brahmande', meaning, what exists in the body also exists in the universe. Whatever we do for ourselves directly impacts our environment.' PM Modi stressed that individual actions directly impact the environment and called for collective action to protect the world's climate.(ANI)
India Gazette
11 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Those who protect nature, nature protects them": PM Modi on World Environment Day
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): On World Environment Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the importance of preserving the balance of nature. On Thursday, PM Modi shared a video message on his official X account urging people to deepen their efforts to protect the planet and overcome environmental challenges. In the caption of the video, PM Modi wrote: This #WorldEnvironmentDay, let's deepen our efforts towards protecting our planet and overcoming the challenges we face. I also compliment all those working at the grassroots to make our environment greener and better. In the video message, PM Modi said, 'Prakriti Rakshati Rakshita', those who protect nature, nature protects them.' The Prime Minister highlighted India's ancient tradition of environmental balance, 'Balance in the environment has always been a part of our ancient tradition. It is said in our culture, 'Yat pinde tat brahmande', meaning, what exists in the body also exists in the universe. Whatever we do for ourselves directly impacts our environment.' PM Modi stressed that individual actions directly impact the environment and called for collective action to protect the world's climate. 'To protect the world's climate, it is essential that every country rises above self-interest and thinks collectively.', the video stated. PM Modi praised India's efforts to reduce plastic usage, adding that the country has been working on this initiative for the past 4-5 years. 'This year's Environment Day theme is the campaign for freedom from plastic, and I am glad that what the world is now beginning to talk about, India has already been working on continuously for the past 4-5 years.' The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that 'Mission LiFE' (Lifestyle for Environment) is gaining momentum on a global scale. PM Modi further stated that millions of people are adopting the mantra of reduce, reuse, and recycle in their daily lives. 'Personally, it gives me great satisfaction that Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) is now turning into a public movement across the globe. Millions of people have embraced the mantra of reduce, reuse, and recycle in their daily lives. Every step taken toward Mission LiFE will become a strong shield for the environment across the world in the times to come.' PM Modi said. At the end of the video, PM Modi extended his heartfelt wishes to everyone on World Environment Day: 'Once again, my heartfelt wishes to everyone on World Environment Day.' Mission LiFE is an India-led global movement to nudge individuals to take simple yet effective, environment-friendly actions in their daily lives. The event will highlight how the youth can inspire behavioural change that leads to individual and collective action towards an environmentally conscious lifestyle. The LiFE themes are to conserve energy and water, reduce waste, adopt sustainable food systems and healthy lifestyles, and say no to single-use plastic. Some examples of LiFE actions are using bicycles for short commutes, turning off running taps when not in active use, consuming locally available foods, using natural or organic products, planting trees, reducing waste, and segregating wet and dry waste at home. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Waste to worth: Rural India's plastic challenge
The quiet rhythm of rural India paints a serene picture. However, beneath this calm, another reality is unfolding, less visible but deeply consequential. The rise of single-use plastics, once embraced as a marker of access is leaving behind a footprint that village ecosystems are struggling to manage. While 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated daily, only 9% gets recycled (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation). Unmanaged plastics breaks down into fragments that persist in the environment for centuries. Urban India generates 38 grams of waste per capita daily, while rural areas produce just 5 grams. This sharp disparity has kept plastic waste solutions urban-centric — often overlooking the quiet but growing challenge in villages of India. Convenience-driven consumption has fuelled the rise of sachets and pouches accounting for 35% of FMCG sales from rural India. The widespread use of multi-layered plastic packaging for products like shampoos, biscuits, and gutka adds to the growing plastic waste burden in rural areas. A study by Pratham Foundation found that over 60% of rural households burn non-biodegradable waste, including plastics, releasing toxic, often carcinogenic fumes e.g., dioxins and carbon monoxide. When not burnt, its lightweight leads to littering fields and clogging water bodies. These micro-plastic contaminants seep into the soil and water bodies, finding their way into the food chain. Recognising the growing threat, the Indian government has undertaken a comprehensive approach to tackle rural plastic waste by strengthening policy frameworks, launching nationwide campaign to change usage behaviour, and allocating budgets for necessary infrastructure. The 2016 Plastic Waste Management Rules by the Central Pollution Control Board extended coverage to rural areas, assigning panchayats the responsibility to ban open burning and plastic littering; prohibit the use and manufacture of thin polythene bags (< 120micron) and promote eco-friendly alternatives. The Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) campaign drives behaviour changes to navigate the Indian population from a throwaway culture to a circular economy. Since 2020, the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) Phase II has been focusing on building rural waste infrastructure compost pits, segregation sheds, waste collection vehicles, and plastic waste management units. While efforts of SBM (Gramin) have brought in significant infrastructure; sustained impact depends on community adoption — a gap that persists in many villages. With limited awareness, that 70% of their waste is biodegradable, communities often see little reason to segregate their waste. Burning becomes the default, without the knowledge of its impact. The scattered nature of rural households leads to low waste volumes, making regular collection unviable. Moreover, the dominance of multi-layered plastics limits the optimum utilisation and revenue potential of large material recovery centres at the block level. Addressing these gaps requires local leadership, community participation, and innovative financing — factors driving several successful rural waste management models today. In Kaladwas panchayat, Rajasthan, a door-to-door collection system thrives through convergence with State Finance Commission funds. Likewise, Jeridih East, Jharkhand, sustains its waste management efforts via a monthly ₹40 household fee per household. An innovative approach, integrating technology is adopted in Shahzadpur Kanaini, Uttar Pradesh, where GPS-based tracking of waste collection vehicles complements a plastic shredding unit that recycles waste into road construction materials. The panchayat also runs a vermicomposting unit led by a women's SHG, earning ₹13 lakhs in 3 years, setting a benchmark for rural India. Building on the successes and learnings from these exemplary models, a multi-pronged approach is derived. A pragmatic approach that's anchored in culture, community, and capacity. Reviving traditional practices such as using stitched-leaf cutlery/banana leaves at rural events, can help reduce single use plastics. Equally crucial is fostering community ownership of waste segregation and collection. Awareness campaigns must inspire household to segregate waste consistently and encourage depositing it at accessible community bins. Panchayats, in their Gram Panchayat Development Plans must include budgets to install waste infrastructure like bins and sorting sheds encouraging effective waste management. For these approaches to take root, the primary step is to equip local leadership with right tools and knowledge. Structured capacity building program can support sarpanches, village committees, block officers in translating intent into implementation. From generating awareness to making optimal use of available funds, targeted training can strengthen each link of the chain. States can also activate WASH training cell as suggested under SBM-G to institutionalise these efforts. Forward linkages are key to closing the loop. States need to collaborate with industries—like cement plants and road contractors to repurpose multi-layered plastic waste. Toll-free helpline can guide panchayats or block centres in strengthening these partnerships, turning waste into a resource and rural challenges into circular solutions. As India advances toward Viksit Bharat, it's incumbent to address the foundational challenge of rural plastic waste management. Sustainable progress can happen only when villages – where a majority of India resides — adopt effective waste management practices. This World Environment Day is a timely reminder to empower communities to reduce, segregate, and repurpose waste for building a cleaner, greener Bharat. This article is authored by Sangeeta Mamgain, core teammMember, School of Climate and Sustainability, Piramal School of Leadership.
Hans India
3 days ago
- General
- Hans India
BEE calls on govt to champion energy efficient initiatives
Hyderabad: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has formally urged the Telangana Government to commemorate the forthcoming World Environment Day on June 5 with a focused emphasis on energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the broader objectives of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). In a letter addressed to the state government, BEE Secretary Milind Deore called upon the Energy department to undertake a series of key initiatives aimed at promoting energy efficiency. These include encouraging the widespread use of 5-Star Rated Energy-Efficient Appliances, particularly air conditioners, refrigerators, and ceiling fans, which are crucial for significantly reducing electricity consumption and associated costs. The BEE's recommendations also encompass actively campaigning for maintaining air conditioner settings at 24°C or higher, fostering behaviour-based energy-saving practices such as switching off lights and appliances when not in use, maximising the use of natural light and ventilation, and transitioning to LED lighting and other energy-efficient alternatives. Furthermore, the Bureau suggested conducting public awareness drives to educate consumers on choosing energy-efficient products certified by BEE's Star Labelling Programme.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Five-star energy-efficient appliance could reduce electricity demand by several billion kWh annually: BEE
Ahead of the World Environment Day on June 5, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) detailed the amount of electricity that can be saved by using five-star rated energy-efficient appliances, maintaining air conditioner settings at 24°C or higher and other methods. The BEE, under the Ministry of Power, called upon all State Designated Agencies (SDAs) across India to commemorate the forthcoming World Environment Day with a focused emphasis on energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the broader objectives of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). The SDAs, including Telangana, were urged to promote the initiative to use five-star rated energy-efficient appliances, especially air conditioners, refrigerators, and ceiling fans, which significantly reduce electricity consumption and costs. This could reduce electricity demand by several billion kWh annually, as per a press release from BEE. AC at 24°C 'Actively campaign for maintaining air conditioner settings at 24°C or higher, as part of BEE's ongoing energy efficiency drive in commercial and residential sectors. Setting ACs at 24°C alone can result in substantial energy savings across millions of households,' it added. Behavior-based energy-saving practices Some of the behavior-based energy-saving practices that were suggested include maximizing the use of natural light and ventilation; switching off lights and appliances when not in use and shifting to LED lights and other energy-efficient alternatives. 'Behavioral changes and conscious consumption can collectively contribute to a 22.5 billion kWh energy saving, as projected under Mission LiFE,' as per the press release. It has also recommended using solar water heaters and cookers to reduce dependence on conventional fuels, CNG/electric vehicles and bicycles for short distances and adopt water conservation techniques and eco-friendly building practices.
