Volunteers seek to converge for impact

The Earth Day will be celebrated across the world on Wednesday with the theme “It's our turn to lead”, stressing on the role of individuals in working towards environmental protection and preservation.

Both Telugu-speaking states — Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — have several individual activists and volunteer organisations working for a variety of causes including protection of migratory species like Olive Ridley turtles, preserving geological formations like ancient rocks, cleaning rivers, conducting environment education camps, conservation of medicinal plants, rescue and rehabilitation of injured domestic and wild animals, construction of rainwater harvesting pits, solid waste management, and documenting biodiversity.

Ms Karuna Singh, country director of Earth Day India, said, “The theme tries to send out a message that every single person on earth, regardless of differences, has perform his duty in protecting the planet. Every person can make a difference by his or her small contributions. Ensuring that a tap is not leaking at home is as important as installing a pollution mon- itoring unit in an industry. The theme of this year’s Earth Day is to let people know that they cannot hold the government responsible for protecting environment and they also have a role to play.”

While there are many volunteer organisations working towards various causes, there is also a need for them to integrate for making a larger impact, stressed Ms Farida Tampal, director of WWF-Hyderabad.

She said, “There are many good campaigns being run by people but as they are dispersed, they remain effective only on a small scale. If they come together they can effect policy change at the governmental level.”

Ms Anuradha Vinod, an officer with the Wild Life Education and Extension wing of the Telangana forest department, has been conducting environmental awareness and education camps for 10 years at the various national parks in the city. “I have conducted 2,000 education camps for both students and professionals. I use a variety of tools for the purpose like riddles, games and quizzes and have also penned a few poems and songs on environment,” she explained.

M. VINAY SASHIDHAR, MEMBER OF CITY BASED

ROCK BAND, ROOTZ, USES MUSIC TO GET THE PEOPLE INTERESTED IN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES IS AND AN ACTIVE VOLUNTEER WITH WWF.