Earth day is celebrated annually around the world by demonstrating healthy awareness activities to prove that we can make the world a better place to live in.

IFSA LC FRI, Dehradun made it a point to celebrate Earth Day in its very first term (2017-2018) and through it, sent a message to the masses about the care and attention that we need to give Mother Earth. Our events focused on maximum involvement of student and local community around campus. This year too we celebrated Earth Day 2019, under the theme ‘Protect our Species’, by organising a series of events from 14^th to 22^nd April 2019.

We held a ‘cleanliness drive and Awareness Program’ on 14^th April, 2019, to spread awareness about the ill effects of plastic pollution on environment, members of IFSA LC FRI and students of Forest Research Institute (deemed to be) University, took part in the Cleanliness drive and awareness program. They cleaned the choked canals of our University campus. In the evening, they went to the local market area to spread awareness about plastic pollution. Our members encouraged the customers to reduce use of single use plastics and to promote reusable cloth bags, which are environment friendly. Thanks to the volunteers of cleanliness and awareness drive headed by Ms Prastuti Saikia, whose effects have directly influenced the surrounding community especially the Indian Forest Service Probationary Officers, who started a similar campaign with an aim to make the Campus Plastic free.

A Fund Raiser for the IFSA Local committee fund was held on 19^th April, 2019. Generally the fund raiser organised by IFSA LC FRI is for the fund for the Local Committee to organise events and for its sustenance. But this time the Fund raiser was organised to help a fellow LC member as a help for donation for his Father’s Cancer Treatment. This was a collective gesture of love as IFSA family. Alongside, new innovative ideas about waste management and products made from used plastics were promoted. The fundraising event of IFSA LC FRI gave students an opportunity to hone their creativity and entrepreneurship skills as the revenue from each goods sold were divided in such a way that 50% went to the seller and the rest 50% of revenue went to IFSA LC FRI fund. The fundraiser team under the leadership of Ms Diksha Verma and sub-head Ms Himani Saklani, have attracted considerable interest from people of all walks of life, be it scientists, entrepreneurs or ordinary people. We received various interesting ideas from them and we are excited to try them out at our next event.

Volunteers at work- Cleanliness Drive

Team of awareness drive

Fundraising Stall set up by IFSA LC FRI

Winners of ‘AMAZONIA’ – Inter College quiz competition and volunteers

An Inter-College Quiz Competition entitled “AMAZONIA”, was held on 21^st April, 2019, organised by IFSA LC FRI (International Forestry Students’ Association Local committee Forest Research Institute). The Quiz was on general topics and current issues related to Environment and Forestry. Through this, we aimed to shed light on the issues that plague our planet Earth, and address these issues to a wider audience, especially the youth. The inter-college quiz competition was headed by Ms Oindrila Basu with a team of dedicated and hardworking members from IFSA LC FRI. The event was graced by Dr. Ajay Thakur (Scientist E, Genetics and Tree Propagation Division, Forest Research Institute) as the Guest of Honour. The event was a successful one which brought students from different institutes to participate and celebrate the Earth day together. 

An Online Video contest was held on 22^nd April, 2019. This video contest was based on the theme “Protect our Species”. Participants were invited to submit a 1-3 minute video that conveyed the message “PROTECT OUR SPECIES”. Through this contest, we aimed to reach far and beyond the boundaries of our University to spread the message about Earth Day. The contest was headed by Ms Ayushi Yadav.

All of the Above Activities were organised solely by IFSA LC FRI (International Forestry Students’ Association Local Committee Forest Research Institute). All the participants and volunteers of various events for Earth Day Celebration came as self-motivated individuals

By promoting eco-friendly plates and cups during refreshment, we are proud to say that no plastic products were used in all our events. Through our various campaigns such as Cleanliness cum Awareness drive and Fundraising events, we always encourage new, innovative and eco-friendly ideas. We try to include various people especially the youth and students of other institutes of the city to inculcate in them a sense of responsibility for a greener Earth and reduce pollution by organizing exciting events like the Quiz competition and online Video Contests.

Special mention to our Head of Publication Mr. Fashid VC; Head of Design, Ms Swati Dagar and Head of Refreshments, Ms Osamaphi Lyngdoh for their diligent work and effort for the success of Earth Day Celebration. We wish to set an example to the community and expect our actions to positively affect the lives of people around us. We also hope the success of our events will encourage other LCs of IFSA to take up such activities and create awareness amongst people of the world to learn more about environment and do more to protect our Earth. 

The author of this article is Nabam Sonia who is the LC President at Forest Research Institute, India.