Forest Department, JSPCB and CEED launched campaign to nudge people to take environmental actions
The Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Govt. of Jharkhand, Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) and Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED) jointly launched a month-long public campaign on Mission LiFE from today, which will continue as a run up to the World Environment Day event on 5 June, 2023. The key purpose of the campaign is to increase mass awareness by reaching out to one lakh people and foster a sense of responsibility towards the mission’s purpose, encourage citizens to actively participate and imbibe the values of the LiFE’s actions. The first day of the campaign showcased a captivating human art activity to depict the Mission LiFE created by the students of Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamali in a very innovative way to extend people’s support. A series of creative activities such as painting, display etc. also conducted with the students.
It is mention-worthy that the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India has envisaged to give a major thrust to Mission LiFE and organising a comprehensive campaign across the country in May and June as a run up to this World Environment Day. The Mission LiFE has been introduced as a mass movement to protect and preserve the environment. It envisions replacing the prevalent ‘use-and-dispose’ economy—triggered by mindless consumption—with a circular economy, which can be defined by mindful and deliberate utilization.
Speaking about the intent and objectives of the campaign, Dr. Sanjay Srivastava, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HOFF), Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Jharkhand said, “The Mission LiFE campaign intends to bring together collective and conscious efforts of people to adopt a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. There is a need for a greater social responsibility on behalf of each person, so every small effort counts in inculcating positive behaviours and attitudes to become ‘Pro Planet People’. As the Mission LIFE intends to leverage climate-friendly social norms, beliefs and daily household practices, various public engagement and outreach activities are being organised to bring citizen support to enable them become change-makers for this cause.’
As a part of the campaign, a series of creative activities such as audio-visual & social media led public engagement, sensitisation workshop, skit, essay, painting competitions with school-college students, street theater, photo-up, placards, signature and exhibitions will be regularly organised in various locations, schools, parks and public spaces in the state.
Elaborating the overall idea under the campaign, Shri Shashikar Samanta, IFS, Chairman, Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board said that, ‘Mission LiFE is also a part of India’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions, which seeks to nudge individuals to undertake simple acts in their daily lives that can contribute significantly to the society. The campaign is crucial since changing individual and community behaviour can have a significant impact on reducing environmental and climate crises.’ He further added that to kick off the campaign, JSPCB and its staff members took a pledge on 10 May to continuously motivate people, their family and friends about the importance of environmentally friendly habits for a greener and sustainable future.
Placing the crucial role of citizens and their collective responsibility in the campaign, Mr Y.K. Das, IFS, Member Secretary, JSPCB said that, “Citizen involvement is key to generate required momentum to provide hand-holding support in deploying solution oriented measures effectively. Engagement of all stakeholders with a collaborative and solution-driven approach can bring desired results on the ground. As a responsible citizen, it is our duty to take the solution-driven steps towards reducing carbon footprint, adopt sustainability based lifestyle and protect our ecology to benefit all.’
Speaking about the importance of the campaign, Mr Ramapati Kumar, CEO of CEED said that ‘The State Government has taken a commendable initiative. Active involvement of citizens is key to bring localised and bottom-up solutions. India has traditionally been an epitome of conservation of nature and even the heritage of Jharkhand echoes the same. We need to put forward a sustainable way of living based on traditional ethos.” He further added that CEED is committed to provide support to the government agencies in promoting awareness on Mission LiFE.
The campaign has been widely supported and endorsed by notable civic bodies, prominent civil society organisations, educational institutions, media, women-youth groups and citizens across the state.