Selfless quest for sustainability

By Mayuri PhadnisonMar. 23, 2016in Environment and Ecology

City group to organise convergence on Sunday about reducing carbon footprint, sustainable living and more

On Sunday, 27th March @ Gandhi Bhavan, Kothrud, Pune, from 10am to 8pm

There is no running away from climate change now. Global warming has made its presence felt rapidly with transitioning ecosystems. The need for reducing one’s carbon footprint has never been more urgent than it is today. In an effort to cleanse the environment, a city-based group has taken the cause to their hearts and planned a meeting on sustainable lifestyles to demonstrate a few ways to curb carbon footprints.

SPILL THE BEANS

The convergence, to be held next Sunday, will talk of other sustainable causes. Several people will speak on conserving water, composting wet waste and growing vegetables in one’s balcony.

Dr Nikhil Mehta, who ardently cultivates vegetables at his home, will elaborate on the advantages of a terrace garden. “We have wooden boxes of different shapes, in which we have planted onions, potatoes, radishes, leafy vegetables and mulberries. We also have a drum in which we compost all our wet waste and use it in this garden. We do not need chemicals, nor do we need any other fertilisers,” he said. Mehta was helped by Hemal Patel, who guides people in growing such organic produce.

SAY NO TO CHEMICAL GLOOM

Shailaja Deshpande, an environment activist and member of Jeevitnadi, has given up on all types of chemical cleansers. “These small changes will go a long way in preserving the resources that we have. With this initiative, we will guide those who will be willing to make changes in their lifestyle. Here, one can act individually and there will be no need for a policy or anything,” she said.

Most of the chemical cleansers can be prepared from natural things available in the kitchen. Deshpande has drawn up a list for the same which she intends to share with people. “This way the chemical waste does not make its way to the rivers,” she said.

HONEY TRAP

Ecologists have also been advocating the protection of honeybees in urban settings, where they are subjected to pest control. Amit Godse, who quit his job to promote this cause, helps people relocate hives to a place that is not bothersome for anyone. “We clip these hives of small bees (Apis florea) and put them in boxes that are then given to the farmers, considering that they are great pollinators. The same method is applied for the bigger hives of Apis dorsetta or the rock bees, which make larger hives on the walls,” he said.

GO WITH THE FLOW

Disposal of sanitary pads also causes some harm to the environment. To combat discarding woes, IT professional Shruti Kulkarni has come up with re-usable pads that promise a high-level of hygiene. She will be talking about it at the meet. “These pads are washable and have proper air circulation to keep bacterial and fungal infections at bay. They are designed with super absorbent materials and have no chemicals. We guide women on using and washing them,” she said.

First published by Pune Mirror

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