As the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day approaches, the time is long overdue for a global outpouring of energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to create a new environmental paradigm. To build this momentum for the Earth Day celebration and become part of the world’s largest climate change movement, Caritas India in partnership with Earth Day Network and various natural partners organized various activities in the North-East throughout the month of February. The activities saw an outstanding turnout from various groups- children, youth, women, and farmers- to join hands together to create environmental awareness and making it a civic observance in the North East.

Jana Unnayan Samiti Tripura (JUST) staff organized an awareness and a plantation drive on Feb 1, the birthday of the Most Rev. Bishop Lumen Monteiro, at Ferrando Rehabilitation Centre (FRC), Agartala. Sr. Cecilia, Superior & Director of FRC gave a talk on the importance of environment protection which was attended by 38 school children and 10 fruit saplings were planted in the FRC campus.

Various cleanups have been organized in different parts of the North East where local communities came together to volunteer to be a part of the cleanliness drives. The good turnout of volunteers shows that people have taken pride in their communities and even by picking just one piece of litter, contributed in the great global cleanup.

On Feb 3^rd, Seva Kendra Arunachal East organized an awareness and cleanliness drive at Dubliliang Village where Seva Kendra staff members along with the 35 school students and 2 teachers from the village came together at St. Joseph School campus. Another cleanliness drive was organized in Gitokgre Village, Tura, Meghalaya, by Bakdil staff members, on Feb 4^th. The village members were encouraged to undertake such community cleanups at least once a month. The Director of Jaintia Hills Development Society (JHDS) took the initiative to lead the JHDS staff to clean up the Phephe river on the 7^th of February 2020 where 20 people participated in the drive. On 8^th Feb, JUST staff organized another plantation and cleanliness drive in at Madhya Bagbari in Tripura where 32 fruit saplings were planted. An awareness session on biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste and limiting the use of plastic in our daily life was facilitated by JUST staff. The programme was attended by 32 people.

Nongstoin Social Service Society (NSSS), Meghalaya organized an Awareness session on Natural Resource Management conducted in Mawthong west, Mawthong South and Pynden Mawramha, on 5^th 8^th and 10^th of February. An awareness session on the harmful effect of using Plastic was conducted at Sasniang and Umsaitshriew Village on 11^th and 13^th February. A total of 150 people participated in the awareness sessions out of which 104 participants were women.

Under FARM NE III Project, JHDS had conducted a cleanup drive at Khliehriat village of West Jaintia Hills District Meghalaya on the 11^th of February.  The purpose of the programme was to sensitize people on the environment and climate change. Before the cleaning drive, there was a Knowledge and awareness building of community on food sovereignty whereby the coordinator shared and explained to the farmers the concept of doubling the family income through agricultural activities so as to bring back food sovereignty and also ensuring that community members are having sufficient food product for their daily consumption.

On Feb 11^th, Bongaigaon Gana Seva Society organized a plantation cum consultation programme in Balagari village, Chirang, Assam. The meeting started with the plantation of trees. During the consultation meeting, the team explained farmers about the aims and objectives of the Farm NE III project and were motivated to work harder for bringing socio-economic developments in their village.

On Feb 18^th, the team Seva Kendra Dibrugarh (SKD) conducted EDN program at Lotajuri village where the community planted a litchi tree at the community place. The team shared messages on the importance of plantation of a tree. A total of 23 members participated which included 11 man, 7 women, and 5 youth. Similarly, another program was conducted at Sewaguri village on 23^rd February 2020 where the community together with plantation of tree conducted cleanliness drive. In the program, 63 participants participated comprised of 27 men, 29 females and 7 youths participated. Similarly, another programme was conducted at Sewaguri village by SKD on Feb 22^nd, where the village community came together to conduct plantation drive and a cleanup. 63 people participated in the programme that comprised of 27 men 29 women and 7 youth.

In order to preserve and protect the environment, the Development Association of Nagaland organized a cleanliness drive in Inbung village in district Peren, on Feb 22^nd. Altogether 23 people participated in the drive. The participants picked up the hazardous and miscellaneous waste on the streets and also cleaned up the surrounding of the community hall and ground. Villages were motivated to keep the surroundings clean so that the community may be free from diseases. The villagers were made aware and educated about the importance of sanitation and hygiene as well

Another awareness cum cleanliness drive was organized on Feb 25 in Solomon Rongpi Village in Assam by Jirsong Asong staff, that saw the participation of youth and women.

On Feb 20^th, Seva Kendra Silchar took an initiative to make the school students aware of Climate change at Ebenezer English School at Ramgaizang village. The school principal, Mr. Mathew was the key speaker as a local person to lead the programme on their local dialogue. The awareness session ended with a drawing competition on “Save Our Earth” with school students. This competition helped students to get more ideas on current burning issues related to the environment. On the same day, students planted 10 trees in their school premises and promised that they will look after these trees.

Earth Day Network’s mission is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Caritas India through this partnership with EDN, works towards broadening the definition of environment and includes the issues that affect our health and our communities, such as greening deteriorated schools, creating green jobs and investment, and promoting activism to stop air and water pollution. Around 600 people participated in the environment campaign, with an amazing turnout of youth and women. The campaign sought to build the activity base for the Earth Day celebration on April 22^nd, 2020, by engaging the population in various global programmes like the great global cleanup, #Treesforearth and #Artistsforearth. Caritas India through various partner organizations has aligned with climate change agendas. Through her work with low-income communities, CI has successfully incorporated the voices and issues of the marginalized into the global movement- Earth Day Network.