Tell-All
We asked: Responsible and mindful consumption can go a long way to help conserve our remaining natural resources. What do you think are the 'wants' we should stop demanding to help nature and biodiversity?
I am not just scared but petrified for my planet, and at the same time, it makes me really sad that we’ve exploited our Earth so badly that only a handful of us feel the need to write articles like this, begging for change. We human beings call ourselves inventors, creators of amazing things, but most of our inventions have been extremely insensitive to nature. We are the most selfish species—always thinking only about ourselves, our comfort, our convenience, without a thought for what we’re leaving behind for future generations. Plastic is a perfect example: it’s a boon for some industries and daily life, but mostly a curse for the environment. It clogs our rivers, kills marine life, and breaks down into microplastics that enter our food chain. We have to start thinking differently—not just a few aware people, but everyone. The thought of conservation needs to be seeded right from basic school education all the way to senior citizens through community programs and campaigns. We need to take recycling to the next level! From gadgets and electronics to clothes and packaging, waste management plays such a crucial role. That’s why we must start educating people properly—showing them the real impact of their choices. When I go to cities, I see how ignorant so many people are. Everyone wants a clean neighbourhood, fresh air, and beautiful surroundings, but they think someone else has to do the cleaning. Littering is casual, single-use plastics are thrown without care, and recycling feels like “someone else’s job.” It’s heartbreaking. Yes, using second-hand products is a wonderful option—it cuts down on new production, saves resources, and reduces waste. But sadly, not enough people are willing to buy or use pre-loved items. So, we need to make old things look new and appealing—repackage them stylishly, make thrift shopping cool and accessible through better branding, apps, and markets. Governments and companies should push this hard with incentives. We are not even realising what we’re doing to our rivers, our sacred lifelines. Recently, I saw shocking content on social media—British biologist Jeremy Wade highlighting how Kanpur’s tanneries are still dumping toxic chemicals like chromium, lead, and arsenic straight into the Ganga, turning parts of it black and poisonous. Over 50 million litres of untreated waste every day from that $12 billion leather industry! And it seems to make no real difference to the people living there or the authorities who should act. Then, at Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh, where we have the famous Ganga Aarti drawing thousands for peace and spirituality, nearby residents are letting all their waste and excreta flow directly into the river. How can we perform rituals on one side and pollute the same holy water on the other? We need to first practice what we preach! If we don’t conserve water—the source of life—what will we conserve? Our rivers are dying slowly, and with them, our health, our biodiversity, our future. And it’s not just chemical pollution—we’re also exploiting river beds mercilessly for sand and gravel to feed the booming construction industry. In places like the Ganga, Yamuna, and their tributaries, illegal and excessive sand mining is digging deep pits, deepening riverbeds, causing bank erosion, lowering groundwater levels, and even changing the river’s course. This destroys fish habitats, makes floods worse by altering natural flow, turns fertile land barren, and leaves behind disconnected pools that dry up and kill aquatic life. It’s heartbreaking to see how our thirst for concrete buildings is hollowing out these lifelines. Sand from rivers is perfect for construction because of its shape and strength, but we’re taking way more than nature can replenish, and the mafia often controls it, making things even worse. Conservation of forests is just as essential. Today, accessibility is so easy—roads cut deep into once-pristine areas, letting people exploit timber, hunt, or simply trash the place. Forests are home to incredible biodiversity, they regulate climate, hold soil, and give us clean air. But we’re losing them fast for farms, roads, and greed. It’s a matter of deep concern. Responsible and mindful consumption can go a long way to help conserve our remaining natural resources. We have to stop feeding our unnecessary wants—the demands that hurt nature and biodiversity the most. Stop chasing fast fashion: those cheap clothes use massive amounts of water and create microplastic pollution—buy fewer, better-quality pieces, repair them, and pass them on. Curb the gadget upgrade frenzy: new phones and devices every year mean destructive mining for rare metals that destroy habitats. Keep what we have longer, repair it, or buy refurbished. Cut back on excessive meat, especially industrial beef—it’s driving deforestation in places like the Amazon for grazing land. Choose plant-based, more often or local, sustainable sources. Say no to single-use everything—plastic straws, bags, cups that end up in oceans, harming turtles, birds, and fish. Use reusables always. Demand less overpackaged junk; support brands that use minimal, recyclable materials. Eat local and seasonal to reduce food miles and emissions. We also need to rethink how we build our homes and cities. The massive demand for sand in construction is one big reason rivers are being ravaged. We should push for solutions like hempcrete—a natural, eco-friendly alternative made from hemp hurds, lime, and water. Unlike traditional concrete, which relies heavily on cement (responsible for huge CO₂ emissions) and river sand, hempcrete is carbon-negative—it actually sequesters more CO₂ than it emits because hemp plants absorb so much during growth. It’s renewable (hemp grows super-fast in just months), biodegradable, non-toxic, great for insulation, breathable, and helps create healthier buildings. By switching to materials like hempcrete for walls and insulation, we can put much less pressure on our rivers and earth, reduce mining destruction, lower emissions, and build more natural, sustainable structures. Imagine homes that help heal the planet instead of harming it! If we all question our wants—“Do I really need this? What’s the real cost to Earth?”—and shift to mindful choices, we can ease the pressure on rivers, forests, and wildlife. Education is the foundation: teach kids sustainability in schools, run awareness drives in communities, and hold industries accountable. I’ve seen small changes in my own life make a difference, and I believe if more of us wake up, we can heal our planet. It’s not too late, but we can’t wait for others to act. We have to start now—practice conservation every day, speak up against pollution and destructive mining, demand better building materials, and live with respect for nature. Our Earth is crying out; let’s not ignore her anymore.-Preeti Giri Goswami, Ranikhet, Uttarakhand. Para Athlete (Para Swimmer, Captain Wheelchair Basketball Team, Motorsports), Social Activist from Kumaon
Goal Number 12 in Sustainable development is probably the least thought about, while being the easiest to implement in our individual lives, the sum total of which, if implemented, would make a humongous positive impact on society and the planet's health. While our population continues to grow, we are running out of resources. There is a dire need to change our consumption habits. We all know about transitioning to a circular economy, enforcing policies and multilateral environmental agreements. But how do we simplify these jargons for a common individual to adapt a sustainable lifestyle? Is it very difficult? Is it expensive? Time-consuming? Let me give some examples I follow in my everyday life that I think will leave an impact on this earth. I do not use running water to brush my teeth or take a bath. I use a mug and a bucket, and fill them up only as much as I know I will need. The extra water, if at all left, is used for mopping the floor. The big shift that I made was to use only biodegradable household products like dishwashing, laundry and floor cleaning products. Yes, they are more expensive. I had to make small shifts in my household budget to make up for the expense. I go to sleep happier at night knowing my efforts have not polluted my country's soil or water. I have also made changes in the food we eat. Instead of elaborate menus, we eat a single-course meal twice a day. With the money I save, I buy certified organic oils, grains and vegetables, which benefits farmers by increasing their net income and creating carbon sequestration, which in turn combats climate change for a more sustainable and profitable system. Since I use biodegradable products, every bit of my wastewater goes into watering my plants or cleaning my washrooms. I used to be careless about switching off fans and bulbs when not in the room. So I took the responsibility of paying the electric bill, which has straightened me out. We are lucky to have some excellent recycling centres in our city. The entire dry waste from my home is segregated and goes to the centre once a week. This not only takes care of the waste generated but also supports the employment of needy men and women. I grew up in austerity with parents who followed the " simple living high thinking " motto. So, continuing a lifestyle where I rarely buy new clothes or shoes was not difficult at all. I follow a vegan lifestyle, thus making a significantly lower impact on greenhouse emissions. It is not difficult to adapt to a dairy-free lifestyle - our regular Indian meals of sabzi roti or dal chawal sabzi are basically vegan. I have limited packaged food, thus minimising landfill use, the need for new material production and making a healthy choice at the same time. In short, key strategies which impact our natural resources and protect our environment on an individual level are: reducing waste, saving energy, conserving water and making mindful purchases. Imagine a world where 50% of the population has a paradigm shift towards consumption. The huge impact it will have on our environment is minuscule compared to the initial discomfort in our lifestyle change. At the end of the day, it will put a smile on your faces, thinking of the immortal song by Louis Armstrong: "What a wonderful world!" -Shakuntala Majumdar, Thane CPCA
To protect biodiversity, we don’t necessarily need to live in total austerity, but we do need to dismantle the demand for "wants" that carry a hidden, heavy price tag for the planet. Here are the key "wants" we should reconsider to help nature thrive: The demand for a weekly-changing wardrobe has made the textile industry a leading cause of water pollution and habitat loss. It takes roughly 2,700 litres of water to make one cotton t-shirt—enough for one person to drink for 2.5 years. Moving from "quantity and novelty" to quality and longevity. By demanding clothes that last, we reduce the chemical runoff and microplastics poisoning our waterways. Exotic and Out-of-Season Produce, We’ve grown accustomed to eating strawberries in winter and avocados year-round, regardless of where we live. This demand drives monoculture farming, which destroys local ecosystems to make room for export crops. It also fuels the massive carbon footprint of air-freighted food. Embracing seasonal, local eating. This supports local biodiversity and reduces the energy required for long-distance cold chains. Single-Use "Convenience" Culture, The want for immediate ease—plastic water bottles, disposable cutlery, and excessive shipping packaging—is a direct assault on our oceans and forests. Plastic doesn't disappear; it breaks down into microplastics that enter the food chain, harming everything from plankton to apex predators. Prioritising reusability over disposability. Normalising "bring-your-own" culture drastically cuts the demand for virgin plastic production. Excessive Meat Consumption (Specifically Factory-Farmed). While diet is personal, the global demand for cheap, daily meat is a primary driver of deforestation, particularly in the Amazon. Massive tracts of rainforest are cleared every day for cattle ranching and soy plantations (used for animal feed). Treating meat as a delicacy rather than a staple. Reducing demand allows for regenerative farming practices that work with nature rather than replacing it. The "Newest Tech" Obsession: The desire to upgrade smartphones and electronics annually fuels destructive mining for rare earth minerals in sensitive ecological zones. Mining destroys habitats and often leads to toxic leaching into local soil and water. Demanding the "Right to Repair." When we value longevity and repairability over the "newest model," we take the pressure off the Earth's crust. The Bottom Line: Nature doesn't struggle because of our needs; it struggles because of our unchecked appetites. By stopping the demand for "disposable luxury," we give ecosystems the breathing room they need to regenerate. Mindful consumption isn't about giving things up; it's about choosing a future where nature still exists.- Manoj Kumar Chaturvedi, Bank officer and animal activist, Lucknow, UP
When we talk about consumption, it is often reduced to shopping habits or waste generation. But from an architectural perspective, consumption operates at a much deeper level. It is reflected in how much land we occupy, how frequently we build or rebuild, what materials we extract, and how easily we are willing to transform entire landscapes to meet growing demand. A recent example that brought this into focus was the dilution of protections around the Aravalli hills, allowing them to be redefined and opened up for exploitation. This was not driven by an urgent human need such as shelter or food security. It was driven by convenience and opportunity. This is where the idea of responsible and mindful consumption becomes critical, particularly the distinction between what we need and what we merely want. There is nothing inherently wrong with ambition or growth. Architecture exists because humans aspire to improve their living conditions. The problem begins when aspiration disconnects from consequence, when ecosystems that have taken millions of years to evolve are treated as expendable inputs for short-term gains. Nature does not operate on financial timelines. Forests, hills, rivers, and biodiversity systems exist in balance, unaware of markets or demand curves. When we erase them, it is not progress that benefits, but immediacy. In the built environment, excessive consumption often appears quietly. It shows up as more space than required, repeated construction driven by trends, or material choices motivated by visibility rather than suitability. This is not about condemning ownership or success. When spaces are actively used, rented, shared, adapted, or repurposed, they support livelihoods and serve real social needs. The problem arises when built spaces remain underused, abandoned, or locked into speculation. While travelling through my own city, I often come across apartment blocks and villas where the structure has been raised, only to be left incomplete and unattended. Over time, these buildings collect waste, grow wild vegetation, and slowly deteriorate. The reasons are familiar: legal disputes, financial shortfalls, stalled approvals, or failures during construction. Yet the outcome is always the same: land is consumed, materials are spent, and neighbourhoods are left with dead structures that serve no purpose. From a resource perspective, this is one of the most avoidable forms of waste. The carbon cost has already been paid. The land has already been altered. Instead of stepping in to evaluate, adapt, and reuse these structures, we continue to look for new land and fresh materials elsewhere. This is not a lack of resources, but a failure to use what we already have. We also know that reuse works. In Kochi, the Muziris Biennale demonstrated how abandoned godowns and neglected buildings could be transformed into active cultural spaces through imagination, collaboration, and sensitive adaptation. These structures were not replaced or demolished; they were reinterpreted. What was once forgotten became meaningful again. This is proof that creative reuse is not theoretical; it is already part of our lived experience. Responsible consumption, then, is not about denying growth or ambition, but about changing direction. It is about recognising when efficiency can replace excess, when adaptation can replace demolition, and when restraint is more responsible than expansion. These choices appear in everyday decisions, such as how much space we build, what materials we choose, and whether we respond to need or to display. Material choices reveal this clearly. We often value imported or rare finishes because they signal status, even when local materials perform better in the climate, require less energy to transport, and age more honestly with time. On Earth, diamonds are considered more precious than wood. Yet from a broader perspective, diamonds are abundant, while living forests are rare. When laws protect natural systems, scarcity increases, and so does their monetary value. The danger lies in responding to this scarcity not with care, but with further extraction. Population growth does add pressure to land and resources, but pressure alone does not explain ecological loss. The deeper issue is how demand is shaped and normalised. There is a quiet expectation of more space, more comfort, and more novelty, without a parallel conversation about limits. When land and ecosystems are finite, supply cannot endlessly match unchecked demand. At the same time, ethical consumption cannot be separated from social reality. Responsible choices require stability. People who are constantly struggling to meet basic needs rarely have the time or security to think long-term. When survival dominates everyday life, consumption becomes reactive rather than reflective. From an architect’s point of view, mindful consumption begins long before construction starts. It begins with asking quieter questions: Do we need to build at all? Can what already exists be reused or adapted? Can land be left untouched? Can design meet present needs without creating a future burden? If we learn to consume with this kind of awareness, nature does not have to keep paying for our wants. And perhaps that is the most meaningful role architecture can play today, not by building endlessly, but by helping society recognise when enough has already been built. -Ar. Anand PJ, Architect, sustainable design enthusiast
Rivers, forests, and biodiversity do not decline in isolation. They decline when human consumption exceeds ecological limits. Any serious effort to restore rivers, protect forests, or conserve biodiversity must therefore begin not only with technical interventions, but with a deeper reflection on how and why we consume. Indian civilisation evolved around living ecosystems. Rivers were not channels to be controlled, forests were not vacant land to be cleared, and biodiversity was not an abstract concept—it was the basis of survival. Communities learned to take from nature with restraint, guided by the understanding that needs are finite, while wants are not. Traditional practices reflected this wisdom. Settlements respected river floodplains and forest boundaries. Food systems were local and seasonal, reducing pressure on distant ecosystems. Materials were reused, repaired, and circulated within communities. Consumption was embedded in social responsibility, not individual excess. These practices ensured that rivers could recharge, forests could regenerate, and biodiversity could thrive alongside human life. In contrast, many modern conservation challenges stem from patterns of consumption that are disconnected from ecological reality. Rivers are burdened with plastic and waste not because people need it, but because convenience has been prioritised over responsibility. Forests are fragmented to meet demands for speed, scale, and permanent infrastructure. Biodiversity is lost not due to survival needs but due to overproduction, overextraction, and unchecked demand. This project recognises that ecological restoration cannot succeed without addressing consumption behaviour. River cleaning, forest conservation, and biodiversity protection must be accompanied by a shift in how communities, institutions, and markets value resources. By promoting responsible and mindful consumption, the project seeks to reduce pressure on ecosystems at the source. This includes encouraging the reduction of unnecessary plastic use, supporting local and nature-based livelihoods, reintroducing circular use of materials, and strengthening community stewardship of rivers and forests. These approaches are not new inventions—they draw from time-tested practices of balance, moderation, and respect. In river systems, this means allowing rivers to function as living ecosystems rather than engineered drains—reducing waste inflow, avoiding hard concretisation, and restoring natural banks and floodplains. In forest landscapes, it means protecting commons, discouraging extractive exploitation, and strengthening community-led conservation. For biodiversity, it means safeguarding habitats, supporting indigenous species, and aligning human activity with ecological rhythms. Responsible consumption also plays a critical role in social stability. When resources are overexploited, livelihoods collapse, and unrest follows. Conversely, when communities are engaged as custodians rather than beneficiaries, conservation becomes sustainable. Mindful use of resources builds trust between people and nature, and between communities and institutions. This project is therefore not only about cleaning rivers or restoring forests—it is about rebuilding a relationship. A relationship where development does not come at the cost of ecology, and where conservation is not enforced, but understood. Ancient Indian wisdom reminds us that nature does not demand sacrifice; it demands restraint. By integrating this principle into river, forest, and biodiversity interventions, this project aims to create outcomes that are ecologically resilient, socially just, and economically sustainable. In choosing mindful consumption over excess, we create space for rivers to flow, forests to breathe, and biodiversity to survive—quietly, naturally, and for generations to come.- Yashwant Dadhwadia, Director and Country Head – India, Riverrecycle Ltd, Finland
A reflective essay on how modern want culture — from food and fashion to homes, devices, and digital lives — is quietly eroding not just the planet, but our health, relationships, and inner stillness. A call to rethink excess, not as progress, but as exhaustion. We live in a world where we have mastered the art of wanting things we don’t need, with money we don’t have, to impress people we don’t even like. We talk about “saving the planet” as if it’s a chore for the future, but the truth is far more urgent: our culture of greed is eroding our lives, our health, and our families right now. We have deliberately turned a blind eye to the consequences that are already surrounding us. The Anatomy of a Meal — The Paradox of Food: Our bodies are designed to need wholesome, nourishing food for sustenance. However, our minds have been tricked by a relentless barrage of marketing and peer pressure. When hungry, we want a burger and a Coke. Then greed surfaces, and we also order sides, fries, and dessert. Halfway through the meal, we are too full. The waste that follows is the tragedy of the present. Without remorse, we watch our meal — which could have fed many more — being cleared away to rot in the bin. We have moved away from seeking nutrition to seeking dopamine. Unhealthy, hyper-processed food choices are not just hurting the planet; they are causing literal inflammation of the human spirit, leading to lifestyle diseases that haunt our families today. Future Fallacy: We tell ourselves that the depletion of resources is a future problem, refusing to comprehend the urgency of the present moment. The Biodegradable Lie: We excuse our food waste because it is biodegradable. Food choices reveal the cost of excess. Globally, food systems account for nearly one-third of human-driven greenhouse gas emissions. The Burden of the Bow — The Modern Paradox: This cycle extends far beyond the dinner plate. I remember buying an expensive bottle of perfume in London. In the boutique, the ceremonial and elaborate packaging took place. The bottle was boxed, wrapped in several layers of tissue paper, placed in a transparent bag and then a paper bag, which was further stuffed with colourful strings and more tissue, and finally the bag was decorated with a stylish bow. I felt important. By the time I reached home, the importance felt like a lie. Everything except the bottle went into the bin, creating a mountain of waste. The delight lasted a few moments; the waste will last years. -Shachi Rao, Social activist and entrepreneur, Lucknow
आज की तेज़ रफ्तार वाली दुनिया में उपभोग हमारी जीवनशैली का अभिन्न अंग बन चुका है। लेकिन यह अंधाधुंध उपभोग पृथ्वी की जलवायु को नष्ट कर रहा है और जैव विविधता को समाप्त करने की कगार पर ला खड़ा किया है। समझदारी भरा उपभोग ही वह मार्ग है जो हमें सुरक्षित विकास की ओर ले जा सकता है। प्राचीन भारतीय दर्शन में सादा जीवन, उच्च विचार, हैं जीवन के दो आधारकृयह वाक्य हमें सादगी से जीने और उच्च आदर्शों को अपनाने की प्रेरणा देता है। गांधीजी का कथन “पृथ्वी ने हमारी आवश्यकताओं के लिए सब कुछ प्रदान किया है, पर लालच के लिए कुछ नहीं“ हमें याद दिलाता है कि संयम ही सच्ची समृद्धि है।प्राचीन भारत के ग्रामीण जीवन से हमें बहुत कुछ सीखना चाहिए। गांवों में लोग प्रकृति के साथ तालमेल बिठाकर जीते थे। वे मौसमी फसलें उगाते, स्थानीय संसाधनों का उपयोग करते और बर्बादी से बचते थे। एक अन्य कहावत ’जितना खाओ उतना ही लो, बाकी छोड़ दो’ हमें न्यूनतम उपयोग की सीख देती है। ये मूल्य आज भी प्रासंगिक हैं, जब जलवायु परिवर्तन और जैव विविधता विनाश वैश्विक संकट बन चुके हैं। विज्ञान इस दर्शन को प्रमाणित करता है। संयुक्त राष्ट्र की रिपोट्र्स बताती हैं कि मानवीय उपभोग के कारण ग्रीनहाउस गैस उत्सर्जन बढ़ रहा है, जो वैश्विक तापमान वृद्धि का प्रमुख कारण है। वनों की कटाई और भूमि उपयोग परिवर्तन से 75þ से अधिक जैव विविधता खतरे में है। यहां खाद्य श्रृंखला का 10 गुना का सिद्धांत महत्वपूर्ण है। प्रत्येक ट्रॉफिक स्तर पर ऊर्जा का केवल 10þ ही अगले स्तर पर स्थानांतरित होता है। अर्थात्, यदि हम मांसाहारी भोजन अपनाते हैं, तो पशुओं को खिलाने के लिए आवश्यक अनाज की खेती में 10 गुना अधिक भूमि, जल और ऊर्जा लगती है। पौध-आधारित आहार अपनाने से भूमि उपयोग 75þ तक कम हो जाता है, जल खपत 50þ घट जाती है और ऊर्जा बचत होती है। अध्ययनों से सिद्ध है कि एक व्यक्ति यदि सिर्फ पौध आधारित (वीगन) भोजन करे, तो वह अपने प्रतिवर्ष 1.5 टन ब्व्2 उत्सर्जन बचा सकता है। यह व्यावहारिक बदलाव जलवायु संरक्षण का सरल उपाय है।दर्शन हमें गहराई प्रदान करता है। भारतीय ऋषि-मुनि ’अपरिग्रह’ (नॉन-पॉजेसिवनेस) पर जोर देते थे। भगवद्गीता में कहा गया है, “योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि“कृसंतुलित भाव से कर्म करो। गांधीजी ने स्वदेशी और स्वावलंबन को अपनाकर ब्रिटिश उपनिवेशवाद के आर्थिक शोषण का मुकाबला किया। आज हम भी स्थानीय उत्पाद खरीदकर वैश्विक आपूर्ति श्रृंखलाओं के कार्बन फुटपिं्रट को कम कर सकते हैं। एक कहावत है, “अगर बहुत हो तो बहुत कम इस्तेमाल करो, और अगर थोड़ा ही हो तो भी और ज्यादा कम इस्तेमाल करो“कृयह संयम की शिक्षा देती है। व्यावहारिक दृष्टि से समझदारी भरा उपभोग को अपनाने के लिए कुछ सरल कदम उठाए जा सकते हैंः 1. न्यूनतम खरीदारीः ’खरीदने से पहले सोचोकृक्या यह आवश्यक है? क्या यह टिकाऊ है?’ प्लास्टिक बैग की जगह कपड़े के थैले इस्तेमाल करें। 2. पौध-आधारित भोजनः दाल, सब्जियां, फल अपनाएं। भारत जैसे कृषि प्रधान देश में यह आसान है। इससे न केवल संसाधन बचते हैं, बल्कि स्वास्थ्य भी सुधरता है। 3. पुनर्चक्रण और पुनः उपयोगः पुराने कपड़ों को दान करें, पानी बचाएं। ग्रामीण परंपरा की तरह ’कम्पोस्ट’ बनाएं। हमारे पूर्वज एक कपड़े को वर्षों तक पहनने के बाद उसका झोला बनाकर वर्षों उपयोग करते और अंत में उसे पोछा के रूप में प्रयोग करते थे। हमें संसाधनों को उसी प्रकार बड़ी जिम्मेदारी से प्रयोग करना चाहिए। 4. ऊर्जा संरक्षणः स्म्क् बल्ब, सोलर कुकर अपनाएं। गांवों में जैव गैस प्लांट इसका उदाहरण हैं। रात में प्रकाश की आवश्यकता नहीं होती अतः अधिकांश बल्ब रात में बंद रखें और सिर्फ एक आदि हल्की रोशनी वाले आधे वाट की स्म्क् बल्ब ही जलाएं और छत पर सोलर लगवाएं 5. जागरूकता फैलाएंः परिवार और समुदाय में चर्चा करें। सोशल मीडिया पर शेयर करें। ये कदम छोटे लगते हैं, लेकिन सामूहिक रूप से बड़ा प्रभाव डालते हैं। प्च्ब्ब् की रिपोर्ट कहती है कि व्यक्तिगत बदलाव से 20-30þ उत्सर्जन कम हो सकता है। प्राचीन कहावत ’एक अरण्य रोपणं समं पुण्यं’ (एक वृक्ष लगाना महान पुण्य है) हमें हरित कार्यों के लिए प्रेरित करती है। अंत में, समझदारी भरा उपभोग केवल जीवनशैली नहीं, बल्कि हमारा दायित्व है। सादा जीवन, उच्च विचार अपनाकर हम पृथ्वी को लालच से मुक्त कर सकते हैं। गांधीजी की तरह हमें आवश्यकता और लालच में भेद करना होगा। प्राचीन ग्रामीण मूल्यों को पुनर्जीवित करें, विज्ञान का सहारा लें और व्यावहारिक कदम उठाएं। तभी हम आने वाली पीढ़ियों और धरती के अन्य पशु पक्षियों के लिए हरा-भरा, जीवंत ग्रह छोड़ सकेंगे। आइए, आज से संकल्प लें-सचेत बनें, संरक्षित करें! -अभिषेक दुबे, पर्यावरण एवं पशु अधिकार कार्यकर्ता, नेचर क्लब फाउंडेशन, गोण्डा
जिम्मेदार और सोच-समझकर उपभोग करने से हम अपने घटते प्राकृतिक संसाधनों के संरक्षण में काफी हद तक सफल हो सकते हैं। जैव विविधता और प्रकृति को बढ़ावा देने के लिए, हमें कुछ विशेष “इच्छाओं“ को कम करने या समाप्त करने के बारे में सोचना चाहिए। हम फास्ट फैशन को कम कर सकते हैं, एकल-उपयोग वाले प्लास्टिक से दूर रह सकते हैं, टिकाऊ लकड़ी और ताड़ के तेल का चयन कर सकते हैं, और विलासितापूर्ण पशु उत्पादों का उपयोग कम कर सकते हैं। इलेक्ट्रॉनिक उपकरणों के उपयोग में जागरूकता, मांस की खपत में कमी, और पर्यावरण के अनुकूल विकल्पों का चयन भी महत्वपूर्ण है। छोटे-छोटे बदलाव, जैसे सार्वजनिक जल या फ़िल्टर किए गए नल के पानी का उपयोग, साइकिल चलाना, और ऊर्जा-कार्यक्षम उपकरणों का उपयोग, बड़ा प्रभाव डाल सकते हैं। अपने उपभोग के तरीकों के प्रति अधिक जागरूक होने से हम पर्यावरण का संरक्षण कर सकते हैं और कचरा कम करने में मदद कर सकते हैं। इसके अलावा, हमें अपने समुदाय में जागरूकता फैलाने और दूसरों को भी प्रेरित करने का प्रयास करना चाहिए। हम अपने घरों में ऊर्जा-कुशल उपकरणों का उपयोग कर सकते हैं, पानी की बचत कर सकते हैं, और कचरे को सही तरीके से अलग कर सकते हैं। हमारे दैनिक जीवन में कुछ छोटे-छोटे बदलाव लाकर, हम एक बड़ा सकारात्मक प्रभाव डाल सकते हैं। हमें अपने ग्रह की रक्षा करने के लिए मिलकर काम करना चाहिए और भविष्य की पीढ़ियों के लिए एक स्वच्छ और स्वस्थ पर्यावरण छोड़ना चाहिए। -डॉ. मोनिका रघुवंशी, राष्ट्रीय कार्यक्रम संयोजक(एन. वाई. पी. बी), अधिकारी (एन. आर.जे.क.एस.एस.)
Topic of the month: Topic of the month: Can corruption and red-tapism be aiding the environmental and nature’s degradation/downfall? If yes, then how? Send your replies in not more than 800 words, either in Hindi or English, to [email protected] along with your recent photo and designation.
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