New Delhi, 20 October (H.S.): WWF-India has launched a nationwide Green Diwali campaign to reduce air pollution during the festival and encourage environmentally responsible celebrations. The campaign will run from October 20 to November 8, urging people to refrain from bursting firecrackers, use traditional earthen lamps and energy-efficient lighting, and dispose of waste responsibly.

The initiative has been launched by WWF-India’s Programme Centre and Resource Partner, in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The campaign will reach out to schools, colleges, educational institutions, resident welfare associations and local communities, with a particular focus on 130 cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme.

As part of the initiative, people are being encouraged to take a Green Diwali pledge and motivate their families and neighbours to avoid firecrackers. The campaign also calls on citizens to avoid single-use plastics, segregate waste and give preference to locally made products.

Educational institutions and community groups are being encouraged to organise pledge-taking activities during assemblies, classroom sessions, rallies and community meetings to increase public awareness and participation.

WWF-India has also urged citizens to participate in a carbon footprint survey. The exercise is intended to help people understand the environmental impact of their everyday activities and consumption patterns, enabling them to adopt more sustainable habits.

Schools, colleges, institutions and community groups participating in the campaign have been asked to share details of their activities online. Submissions should include the name and location of the organisation, the date of the activity, the number of participants who took the pledge, geotagged photographs and a brief report.

Selected entries may be featured on the campaign’s websites and social media platforms, providing participants with an opportunity to showcase their efforts and encourage wider public involvement in environmentally friendly Diwali celebrations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar