A reminder to protect the environment!

On the occasion of World Environmental Health Day 2021, here's a small reminder of what you can do to protect the environment and a glimpse of the conversation with two environment enthusiasts.

There is an end number of activities performed by us in our day-to-day lives. However, little do we think about such activities, even if small, can cause harm to the environment, ultimately affecting humankind. Hence, to protect the environment and its components, it becomes essential for individuals to take precautionary steps while also being aware of the dos and don'ts in their daily lives.

Saving the essential- water

It is a general tendency of individuals to recklessly behave once they are home and not feel accountable. However, such behavior often leads to damages in the environment, which are not seen immediately but are visible at a later stage. Pooja Tendulkar, an Environmental Consultant and the co-founder of  Lemnion Green Solutions, Pune, says one should not waste water by thinking that it becomes stale after some time. "We often wash the veggies and grains that contains various nutrients and not store that water. Only if we start using it in our gardens, we will see how beautiful it becomes after a certain period," she says.

Ms. Tendulkar, who provides solutions for water treatment, also highlights some of the daily life activities that can be controlled to save water. "One can avoid washing clothes using a washing machine quite often and taking long showers every day. It is also advisable to use the small lever in the double flush toilets as it only consumes 3-4 litres of water as compared to 9-10 in larger lever," she says adding, one must not let the wastewater enter the drain line without treatment to protect the environment.

"The amount of wastewater that is generated per person per day is about 150-175 litres in a city. If treated using a properly designed system, more than 40% of the wastewater can be reused. Also, the systems don't necessarily need to be heavier on the pockets and high on their maintenance. You can have a wastewater treatment system that looks just like a beautiful garden," says Ms. Tendulkar.

For a beautiful land

Land houses the world's population but is often neglected, and usually, any empty land becomes a wasteland. Hardly can one ignore the fact that the garbage-filled land can be the breeding ground for various diseases. While there are many things to be taken into consideration to protect the environment and save the planet from degradation, one must remember to cut down on what they throw. This practice can be started by purchasing only those items that are necessary.

Along with this, land degradation is one of the major problems faced, which can be prevented by a few measures. Among all others, is strip farming, where the cultivated crops are sown in alternative strips to prevent water movement and crop rotation system. Similarly, to control the landfill waste, one can choose to donate clothes instead of throwing them away, reduce food waste by making a proper meal plan, buy things with less packaging, reuse containers, and avoid plastic usage.

Most importantly, it is always good to send the waste to the recycling plants than throwing it away.

Breathing less toxicity

Since we can not live without breathing air, we must keep the air clean and less polluted. To ensure this, the practice of using public transport works best. Since the energy taken by the lights also contributes to air pollution, one can keep the lights off when not in use. Some practice like forest fires, further, creates air pollution to a great extent and can also make the lives of locals hard. On the other hand, using fans instead of ACs can also do much good to the environment.

Not only this, but following gasoline refuelling instructions for efficient vapour recovery is a great way towards the cause. One should also be careful not to spill fuel and always tighten the gas cap securely. Moreover, it's also important to keep the car, boat, and other engines properly tuned and the tires are properly inflated.

Even though we want to burn crackers during festivals, we must remember its hazardous to humans and animals. Other than creating air pollution, it also gives its bit in noise pollution. Most animals, especially dogs, find a side corner during festive occasions since the cracking sound frightens them. Similar is the situation of elders and people with breathing diseases who find it difficult to cope with the loud noise and smoke during the festival.

Rohit Ranjan Singh, a student of Environmental Science from A.N College, Patna, advises people to use light-noise vehicles to stop noise pollution. "After becoming a student of environmental science, I have been a part of many seminars, campaigns, trainings and I have been taught one thing that saving the environment is not as difficult as it seems to every individual. For this, one need not wait for the government authorities. It can start by you, me, basically anyone," he says.

Also Read: World Environment Day 2021: Environment enthusiasts share tips on living a sustainable life at homes!

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