Ramesh Sarraf
In the heart of Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, where the arid winds whisper tales of resilience, the clarion call for environmental protection resonates louder than ever. On June 5, 2025, as the world unites to celebrate **World Environment Day**, the theme of eradicating plastic pollution globally urges us to pause and reflect. This day is not just a marker on the calendar but a poignant reminder of our sacred bond with nature—a bond fraying under the weight of human ambition. As the sun rises over the sandy horizons of Dhamora, I, Ramesh Sarraf, a storyteller of the soil, pen this plea for harmony with our planet.
The genesis of World Environment Day traces back to 1972, when the United Nations sowed its seeds during the Stockholm Conference in Sweden. By 1974, this sapling of an idea blossomed into a global movement, with 119 nations pledging to nurture the earth. That historic gathering birthed the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and designated June 5 as a day to rally for our planet’s survival. In India, the Environment Protection Act of 1986, enacted under Article 253 of the Constitution, stands as a testament to our nation’s commitment to safeguarding its natural heritage. Yet, as we stand at the crossroads of progress and preservation, the question looms: are we doing enough?
The essence of World Environment Day lies in uniting humanity to combat climate change, restore forests, and embrace sustainable practices. The theme for 2025—ending plastic pollution—strikes at the heart of a crisis choking our rivers, suffocating our wildlife, and infiltrating our very existence. Plastic, a symbol of modernity’s convenience, has become a silent predator, clogging our ecosystems and outliving generations. From the bustling streets of Delhi to the serene villages of Rajasthan, the scars of pollution are visible, a grim reminder that the balance between man and nature is teetering.
India, a land where trees like the banyan and peepal were once revered as deities, has drifted far from its roots. Urbanization, like a relentless tide, has swallowed agricultural lands, felled ancient trees, and silenced the songs of birds. Rivers that once sparkled under the sun now bear the burden of human neglect. Yet, amidst this desolation, a memory lingers—a silver lining from the lockdown of 2020. For a fleeting moment, nature reclaimed its glory. The air in our cities turned breathable, the Ganga’s waters ran clear, and the skies revealed stars long hidden by smog. It was as if the earth, given a moment’s respite, whispered, “I can heal, if only you let me.”
This World Environment Day, let us draw inspiration from that fleeting miracle. The lockdown showed us that change is possible—not through billions spent on schemes, but through collective will. The Ganga, once deemed the most polluted river in the land, became a symbol of hope, its waters purified without a rupee spent. Environmentalists marveled as rivers, once hazardous to touch, turned potable. This was no less than a miracle, a reminder that nature, when unburdened, has an extraordinary capacity to rejuvenate.
Yet, miracles alone cannot save us. The statistics are stark: according to the National Health Portal of India, air pollution claims 80 lakh lives annually in our country. That’s 34 percent of our people succumbing to the invisible poison in the air we breathe. Lungs choke, hearts falter, and minds bear the strain of a world where clean air is a luxury. Soil erosion, water contamination, and deforestation compound this crisis, threatening not just our present but the inheritance of our children.
In this battle for survival, history offers lessons of courage. The Bishnoi movement, led by the indomitable Amrita Devi, stands as a beacon of sacrifice. In the 18th century, 363 souls laid down their lives to protect their sacred forests, embracing trees to shield them from the axe. This was India’s first environmental uprising, a testament to the power of collective resolve. Today, as we face a global crisis, we must channel that same spirit. Planting a sapling on June 5 is a noble act, but it is not enough. We must nurture it, protect it, and ensure it grows into a mighty tree—a symbol of our commitment to the future.
The word “environment” itself, derived from the Sanskrit *pari* (around) and *avaran* (covering), reminds us that we are enveloped by nature. From the air we breathe to the water we drink, every element—biotic and abiotic—shapes our existence. Yet, we have treated this cradle of life with reckless abandon. Rapid urbanization has razed forests, industrialization has spewed toxins, and our rivers, once lifelines, now bear the weight of our excesses. The consequences are dire: natural disasters multiply, ecosystems collapse, and the harmony between man and nature frays.
This World Environment Day, let us pledge to rewrite this narrative. It begins with small, deliberate acts—shunning single-use plastics, conserving water, and planting trees with purpose. It demands we rethink our relationship with nature, not as conquerors but as custodians. In the villages of Rajasthan, where banyan and peepal trees still stand as sentinels of tradition, we are reminded of a time when nature was worshipped, not exploited. Let us revive that reverence.
As I write from Dhamora, the winds carry a message of urgency. The earth is not just a resource; it is our home, our mother, our legacy. If we fail to act, the consequences will not spare us—or our children. Let June 5, 2025, be a turning point, a day when we vow to live in harmony with nature, to make our planet clean and green, not just for ourselves but for generations yet to come. The time for promises is over; the time for action is now.
( Note: Ramesh Sarraf is a freelance journalist recognized by the Rajasthan Government, weaving stories of the land and its people from the heart of Jhunjhunu.)
