Salt pan owners and workers of Marakkanam, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu sensitised on the themes of Mission LiFE with emphasis on importance of water and energy conservation, hygenic salt production and processing – EQ Mag

In in the run-up to the celebrations on World Environment Day (June 5) several activities were organised on LiFE were organized.

National Museum of Natural History

RMNH Mysore is organizing a Summer Vacation Programme from 15th May to 20th May 2023 for School Students of age 12 to 16 years. During SVP various activities such as Gallery visit and campus trailing, bird watching session, visit to Bandipur Tiger Reserve, skit on LiFE, origami, lab activities, mask making etc. will be organised for the students.

Zoological Survey of India

Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata under the guidance of Dr Dhriti Banerjee, Director,ZSI reached out to the about 100 people from different age group at Kultali village in Sundrabans, West Bengal. A sit and draw was organised at Kultali village for the children.Several youth came forward to take the pledge to save the Environment. In another event village women were sensitized on various issues under Mission LiFE and they promised to keep the mother Earth pollution free for the benefit and future of their children. The programs were conducted by Mr Amitava Roy and team from ZSI.

Mission LiFE Pledge was taken by 10 executive members of Recreation Club, ZSI at Kolkata today and in another event pledge was taken by 50 Scientists, staff and researchers from FPS building, ZSI, Kolkata.

Zoological Survey of India, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh conducted Mission LiFE awareness activities on theme reduction of single use plastic at Juice shop, Ichadhari lassi, Rushel chawk, Jabalpur to spread awareness among shopkeepers. Through this they reached out to 100 shopkeepers and locals.

In another event about 15 NCC students at Stemfield International school, Jabalpur took pledge and an awareness program was conducted for 50 students of Jabalpur cricket academy. They were made aware about the Mission LiFE themes like plastic pollution, healthy lifestyle at Ranital stadium, Jabalpur.

Zoological Survey of India, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh conducted Mass mobilisation of general people, students and faculty from Government Science College, bank employees of Union Bank of India, Collector office employees, Police personnel of Vijaynagar Police Station,Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi University in Jabalpur. Reached out to a total of 200 people. Dr Sandeep Kushwaha and team from ZSI, Jabalpur conducted the mass mobilisation.

National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM)

The aim of Mission LiFE was highlighted to the salt pan workers of Marakkanam, a coastal taluk in the Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu. This ancient port town of Marakkanam, is located at about 120 km from Chennai, lines the highway with expansive panoramic fields of salt pans. The Marakkanam salt pans are spread over an area of 4,000 acres and is one of the largest producers of salt in Tamil Nadu. These salt pans support the livelihood of around 1,000 workers every day during peak season, starting January each year. As a part of this awareness event, NCSCM staff sensitized around 25 salt pan owners and 75 workers on the themes of Mission LiFE and emphasized the importance of water and energy conservation, hygenic salt production and processing, growing halophytes, biodiversity conservation, and banning single-use plastics. The participants have also expressed their views on climate change impacts, which are currently affecting their climate-dependent job of salt extraction through unpredictable precipitation during the salt extraction process. The salt pan owners and workers took a green pledge and signature campaign on water conservation and environmental protection after realizing the significance of an environmentally friendly lifestyle. This event trained the salt pan workers in a simple manner about their environment, habitat, and the need to live in harmony with nature. Placards and pamphlets were displayed on the salt pans as part of this event.

National Institute of Himalayan Environment

Himachal Regional Centre of the National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE) conducted an awareness and action campaign under mission LiFE and promotion of Life Activities. The program was conducted by faculties, research scholars and supporting Institute staff emphasizing the theme say no to single-use plastic. A total of 30 participants participated in the program and took the LiFE pledge to adopt environmentally friendly habits. A rally on the theme ‘Say no to Single Use Plastic’ and Cleanliness Drive was also organized.