Today, June 5th, came with the special significance of being World Environment Day, a day to spread awareness about the environment and its conservation.
As someone currently posted in Delhi, I love the pockets of green beauty amidst the urban sprawl. The magnificent trees, some tall and old are a constant reminder of nature's grandeur.
My heart did get heavy recently when many trees fell in the recent thunderstorms at Delhi. It was a stark reminder of our planet's fragility, the immense power of nature, and also of our responsibility.
We have learnt since our school days that planting trees is the best way to preserve the environment. Government and countless environmentalists advocate it as a good idea and a way to preserve the air we breathe and the world where we live.
It was therefore a delight and honour today when I had the opportunity to plant trees along with the Hon'ble Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation, Mr. Muralidhar Mohol, and the Hon'ble Member of Parliament, Shri. Ravindra Waikar, at New Maharashtra Sadan.
This was not a routine act of putting saplings in the earth but an act of hope, a small but significant step towards a greener future. The energy was infectious as all our team members felt that contributing in this way to the environment apart from avoiding single use plastic is meaningful.
Speaking of Maharashtra Sadans, both the old and new are green havens with plants, trees and lawns. They are a testament to the beauty that can be created in the heart of a bustling city.
Of course there are some challenges in managing the greenery and the place. Trees shed their leaves and the canteens serving delicious meals, generate a huge amount of kitchen waste which is difficult to manage. Disposing this substantial amount of waste responsibly has always been a task. We decided to tackle the problem in a little way by creating a compost pit in Old Maharashtra Sadan to collect all such waste and convert it into manure. As we commenced the project, the satisfaction of contributing this "little bit" to the environment by turning what was once a "dump" into a resource felt immense. Watching that first bit of organic matter go into the pit, knowing it will transform into nutrient-rich compost, was incredibly gratifying.
Today we reinforced a simple yet profound truth that environmental preservation isn't just about big gestures, it's about consistent, thoughtful actions, big and small, that contribute to real change.
From planting a single tree to creating a compost pit and avoiding single use plastic, each step contributes to the well-being of our planet.
From planting a single tree to creating a compost pit and avoiding single use plastic, each step contributes to the well-being of our planet.
As I reflected on this World Environment Day, I feel a renewed sense of purpose and gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of these efforts. Let’s all do our part, however small, to nurture our planet.
R. Vimala, IAS,
Compassionate Civil Servant &
PhD Scholar at IIT Bombay
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