Environment Secretary emphasises sensitizing youth on environmentally conscious behaviour to promote focus India has placed on both economic development and ecological balance

A national exhibition and programme of environment friendly activities on the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) themes was organized today at India Gate, Delhi. It was inaugurated by Ms Leena Nandan, Secretary, MoEF&CC, in the presence of Ms Nameeta Prasad, Joint Secretary, MoEF&CC, Ravi Singh, Secretary General, WWF India and other dignitaries. The event is focused on school children and the youth.

In the inaugural address, Ms Nandan emphasized that the youth have a lot of energy, sensitizing them on environmentally conscious behaviour will promote the focus India has placed on economic development and ecological balance both, well into the future.

The event kick-started with a bicycle rally. A bicycle is an eco-friendly as well as a healthy mode of transport for local and short commutes. This was followed by a vibrant cultural show by school children and the youth, with thought-provoking street plays conveying the ease of adoption of environmentally responsible behaviour. It was followed by an ‘eco-fashion show’ on eco-conscious clothing, it showed that the clothes can be stylish and environment friendly, both.

The day’s activities rounded up with LiFE related quizzes and word search, with the winning participants receiving prizes. The event highlighted how the youth can inspire behavioural change that leads to individual and collective action towards an environmentally conscious lifestyle.

Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme (EIACP) centres under MoEF&CC as well as business establishments displayed eco-friendly products at the exhibition, from millets based and forestry products to portable solar energy harnessing systems.

The event is open on 10^th February also, on which there will be on-the-spot face painting and poster making competitions, workshop on waste segregation, Mission LiFE theme-based quizzes, and a lot more!

LiFE is an India-led global movement to nudge individual and community action to protect and preserve the environment. The LiFE initiative adopts and propagates climate friendly social norms, beliefs and daily household practices from different cultures to encourage sustainable lifestyles, in India and internationally, to address the challenges of climate change.

LiFE themes are conserving energy and water, reducing waste and e-waste, adopting sustainable food systems and healthy lifestyle, and saying no to single use plastic. LiFE actions have a number of co-benefits, such as mitigation of air pollution, cost savings to households, and improvements in people’s well-being and health.

The LiFE actions are specific and measurable; easy to practice by individuals, communities and institutions, with minimal supply-side dependencies; and non-disruptive to ongoing economic activity, in fact, promoting economic activity in the foreseeable future.