Plants are most important part of our ecosystem and by nature, it has a tendency to ‘give’ either food, clothing, fuel, shelter or oxygen necessary for human existence. Different species of plants have a different value, some bear fruits, some has medicinal value, some are auspicious and some bear crops. Humankind is directly or indirectly dependent on plants for their survival.

In a race of rapid globalization and urbanization, the environmental balance has been sacrificed in terms of its exploitation and misuse but there were hardly any steps taken to restore this imbalance.  United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) decided to create awareness and action worldwide for the environment by observing June 5^th as World Environment Day.

However, battling for environmental conservation is not just a one-day affair. It should be inculcated and practiced every day. However, a single day is designated every year as World Environment Day to inspire people and at the same time educate them why it is important to conserve our environment. The day is celebrated by plantation drives, planning awareness programmes, talk shows, skits, etc to create some noise about environment conservation.

Each World Environment Day is organized around a theme that focuses attention on a particularly pressing environmental concern. The theme for 2018 is beating plastic pollution. India being the host nation of 2018 World Environment Day imbibed three R’s – reduce, recycle, reuse – encouraging sustainable living conducive to a healthy environment. India assured that it will revive and impart its traditional knowledge and innovative modern approaches towards a cleaner, greener, and plastic-free nation.

Keeping the above spirit, Caritas India under Suraksha Programme run by Chikmagaluru Multipurpose Social Service Society (CMSSS), Hassan jointly with Mugulavalli Grama Panchayath, Higher Primary School of Mugulavalli and SHG members of the village planted saplings in the school premises. Programme Suraksha is addressing the health and sanitation issues of Chikmagalur District in Karnataka. 50 Papaya saplings and 100 Silver saplings were also distributed to the village community during the event.

Papaya as a vegetable, a fruit and an excellent source of fiber, folate, vitamin A, C, and E was given to the community to promote good health.  The fruit not only enhance digestion but its leaf juice is used to help patients suffering from dengue fever for increasing dipping platelet counts. It also helps to remove intestinal worms.

The programme witnesses the children process in the village with environment conservation slogans to draw the attention of the villagers and create awareness. The teachers, SHG members along with the villagers joined the procession. Jagadeesh, Panchayath Development Officer for Mugulavalli Panchayath, insisted all respond to the signs of the present environment situation and being responsible to protect and safeguard the “Mother Earth”.

Fr. Marcel Pinto, Director of CMSSS, while appreciating the initiatives of the villagers and thanked them for their wonderful collaboration with CMSSS. He said, the need of the hour now is that our Mother Earth is crying for the help. He introduced the SURAKSHA program and called all the people to join hands with Organizations like CMSSS for the Swacch Bharath Mission, the great dream of our Nation.