As another World Environment Day knocks on our door, Bangaloreans are gearing up to do their bit to save the planet.

   From green runs and awareness walks to documentary screenings, a lot is
being done to embrace the day and all that it stands for. From the young to the old, Bangaloreans are eager to show Mother Nature that they care.  

Schools and colleges are usually the first ones to take initiatives on this day.

   Poster-making competitions, nature walks, awareness-raising talks by environmentalists, demonstrations and the more recent trend of flash mobs are some of the things in store this year. Screenings are also an effective way to get the message across.

Bangalore International Centre, for instance, is screening documentaries and short films like ‘Himalayan Waters’ and ‘Remember The Spring’ that cover looming issues like ground water conservation and modern sanitation.

“This is the first time we’re doing something like this for World Environment Day. We’ve picked out a few interesting documentaries that people should watch as a lesson on environmental sustainability and conversation. We’re hoping to have at least 50 to 60 attendees, especially youngsters,” informs Palakshaiah, the secretary.

   The Bharatiya Samaja Seva Trust has been celebrating this day for the last 13
years. 
 
   This year too, the youth can participate in a host of events like a drawing competition, sapling distribution and plantation, speeches and plays at Vivekananda
Education Centre, Jayanagar.

Environmentalist Shivamallu, who is the president of the organisation, notes, “We try to use different angles to make learning about the environment fun for students. We want to cultivate the idea of conservation at an early age so that when they grow up, they can become valuable citizens and preserve the environment and natural resources for themselves and future generations.”

He adds, “In the past, we have also held rallies and taken students to forests to understand nature at close quarters. Students are already interested in the issue and quite aware. But when you ask them where water comes from, they reply, ‘the tap’, which is the wrong direction to think in. They need to learn that it is pumped out of rivers and
appreciate the resource.

That mindset change is what we are looking to make.”

Megha B, a young professional, feels that June 5 should be celebrated everyday just like Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day.

   “I’m personally not too big on the idea of one day where the world pretends to care about the environment. The issues concerning pollution, global warming and food shortage are much graver than they are made out to be and affect each of us in the long run. Though it’s a cliché, it’s the small steps that count. And those steps don’t make a difference if you observe them for just one day in the year,” she asserts strongly.