On Earth Day, Nagpurians call for sustainability

Nagpur: The city came together to celebrate Earth Day with a series of impactful programmes, awareness drives, and creative displays, all echoing a unified call for sustainable living and environmental responsibility.At an event in Ramdaspeth organised by the Environmental Action Group, state wildlife board member Shrikant Tekade urged citizens to recognise that the future of the planet is defined by the choices we make at our doorstep. Speaking on the theme ‘Invest in Our Planet,' Tekade highlighted pressing concerns such as Nagpur generating nearly 1,200 tonnes of solid waste daily and vehicular emissions contributing over 50% of pollution.Tekade surged the usage of Miyawaki plantation method, which can create centuries-worth of indigenous forests within just a decade. He also warned that rapid urban expansion and the everyday generation of 1,200 tons of solid waste in Nagpur city create a need for more effective waste management and urban forestry.Parallelly, an outreach campaign by Green Vigil Foundation at Children's Traffic Park in Dharampeth, in collaboration with the Nagpur Municipal Corporation and Earth Day Network, saw active citizen participation. Founder Kaustav Chatterjee stressed that "every day is Earth Day," urging immediate action to reduce pollution and protect green cover. Addressing citizens, a team lead Surbhi Jaiswal said, "It is in our hands to take action and protect our planet, regardless of governance or administration. Every small step towards sustainability counts." Volunteers actively interacted with visitors, encouraging practices like water and energy conservation, reducing single-use plastics, and adopting greener lifestyles.Karuna Singh, regional director of Earth Day.org, appreciated the efforts of NMC and Green Vigil Foundation in spreading awareness and inspiring citizens to take meaningful action toward environmental protection.Volunteers engaged with citizens on sustainable habits such as reducing plastic use and conserving water and energy, while around 500 attendees pledged to adopt eco-friendly practices.Adding a creative dimension to the celebrations, MahaMetro unveiled a striking 1,000-square-foot rangoli at Dharampeth College Metro Station, crafted by artists from Sanskar Bharati using over 1,100 kg of rangoli powder.