27-May-2023: Participants take LiFE pledge to adopt environmentally friendly habits to sustain natural resources of Indian Himalayan Region
World Environment Day (June 5) is an occasion which brings together millions of people across the country for awareness and action for the environment. This year, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India envisages to celebrate the World Environment Day 2023 with a thrust on the Mission LiFE. The concept of LiFE, i.e., Lifestyle for Environment was introduced by the Hon'ble Prime Minister, at the World Leaders' Summit in Glasgow at the 2021 UNFCCC COP26, when he gave a clarion call to rekindle a global pursuit to adopt sustainable lifestyle and practices. Mass mobilisation across the country on LiFE are being organized in the run-up to the celebrations.
National Museum of Natural History (NMNH)
RGRMNH, Sawai Madhopur organised Nukkad Natak on “Dharti Kare Pukar” as part of Meri_LiFE (LIFESTYLE FOR ENVIRONMENT) to create Awareness on Save Nature from Plastic Pollution, Air Pollution, Water Pollution, Deforestation, Using Chemical Fertilizers in Agriculture etc. In which Participants of Summer Vacation Programme actively participated in two Nukkad Natak and performed in presence of about 170 Students and visitors on 27th May 2023.
RMNH, BHUBANESWAR organized an orientation session with 123 students of Nimapara, Puri on "The gentle giants: Pachyderms and their conservation. Along with students the general public also participated in the event as part of MISSION LiFE (LIFESTYLE FOR ENVIRONMENT)
Zoological Survey of India
Under Mission LiFE 'Adopt Healthy Lifestyle' the Recreation Club, Zoological Survey of India organised a week long Health Camp in which the concluding program was a Health Checkup Camp for all its employees in which a total of 200 employees took part. Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director, ZSI who actively took part in all the events said that this was the first step in making the employees aware that each one have to adopt healthy lifestyle which would in turn increase their overall efficiency and work output of ZSI. The camp provided checkup of Body Weight, Blood pressure, Blood guidance provided on diet by skilled dietician. The health Camp week started with a blood donation camp, meditation camp, talk on Importance of Millets for good health and concluded with the health Checkup.
GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE)
Himachal Regional Center of GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment organized an awareness and action campaign cum Community participation program under the ‘Adopt Healthy Lifestyle’ theme of Mission LiFE. A total of 35 participants from institute participated in the program including the researchers, supporting staff, faculties and women’s representatives from Naraini Panchayat in the event. All the participants took the LiFE pledge to adopt the environmentally friendly habits to sustain the natural resources of Indian Himalayan Region.
National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE) organized another awareness event at Haryalidevi landscape, Rudraprayag District, Uttarakhand wherein the awareness under LiFE Mission. Director, Faculties, Researchers, supporting staff of NIHE, Tata Institute of Social Sciences and local villagers participated in the program. All the participants took the LiFE pledge to adopt the environmentally friendly habits.
National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM)
The NCSCM has launched yet another effort to promote Mission LiFE themes in the fishing community of Old Town in the District of Cuddalore. Cuddalore District is located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and is an important coastal district in the state. The district is one of the most productive fishing areas in Tamil Nadu, with a large fishing community. The district also has several tourist attractions for domestic tourists and people from all over India. The Cuddalore district has a coastal length of 58 kilometres and 49 fishing villages, with a total population of 47,000 marine fishermen. There are 23840 active fishermen among them, and almost 15000 fisherwomen are involved in fishing-related activities. There are 235 mechanised fishing boats and 2345 FRP boats, as well as 1906 non-motorised boats, operating in this district.
NCSCM scientists used this initiative to sensitise nearly 50 fishermen, dry fish godown owners, and ice plant owners about the themes of Mission LiFE and the importance of practicing responsible and environmentally friendly fishing, hygienic fish handling and processing, and energy and water conservation. These initiatives, including the retrieval and recycling of any abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), were emphasised since a single ALDFG can remain in the sea for up to 600 years before decomposing. Plastic contamination, particularly microplastics in the marine environment, as well as their bioaccumulation in the food chain, were highlighted by NCSCM experts. The fishermen were sensitised to practice waste segregation at home and on board while fishing. As part of the event, NCSCM staff explained to the fishing community the need for management strategies to control fishing-related litter (FRL), clean sea initiatives such as "fishing for litter" to encourage fishermen to bring back the FRL to shore-based reception facilities (RFs) and collecting end-of-life (EOL) fishing gear towards extended producer responsibility as a measure for the circular economy and to close the plastic loop in the marine environment. Further, NCSCM scientists emphasised that such actions can enhance the value chain of FRL, which serves as a source of income during the fishing ban period. Additionally, it was suggested that during the fishing ban, the fishing community can utilize value-added fish products for additional income and livelihood diversification. This event taught the fishermen in a simple manner about the sensitivity of the marine habitat, climate change, and the need to live in harmony with nature. At the harbour, LiFE themes were displayed through posters and pamphlets promoting sustainable, environmentally friendly lifestyles. By actively engaging in the Life pledge and signature campaign, the fishing community expressed their support for the LiFE mission.
13-Mar-2023: ‘LIFE’ - ‘Lifestyle for Environment’, key to combating climate change
Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today informed that the Government has started Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) movement with a view to sensitize all stakeholders, including the public at large, about the need for mindful utilization instead of mindless consumption of resources. A comprehensive and non-exhaustive list of 75 individual environment-friendly actions (LiFE actions) across 7 categories has been identified for nudging individuals, communities and institutions as a part of this movement.
In the written reply it was stated that the five elements enunciated by India at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 have been appropriately incorporated in enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under Paris Agreement and Long-term Low Carbon Development Strategies towards net zero emissions by 2070, in accordance with the principles of equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) in light of National Circumstances.
The update to NDC submitted to UNFCCC in August 2022 includes India's commitment to reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030, from 2005 level; achieve about 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030, with the help of transfer of technology and low-cost international finance including from Green Climate Fund; and put forward and further propagate a healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and values of conservation and moderation, including through a mass movement for ‘LIFE’– ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ as a key to combating climate change.
The NDC update is a step towards achieving India’s long-term goal of reaching net-zero by 2070; for which India has prepared and submitted a separate framework document titled ‘India’s Long-term Low Carbon Development Strategy’ to the secretariat of the UNFCCC in November 2022. India’s long term strategy rests on seven key transitions to low-carbon development pathways including promotion on economy-wide decoupling of growth from emissions and development of an efficient, innovative low-emission industrial system.
It was also stated that Government of India has already taken a number of measures including the announcements in the Union Budget 2022-23 and 2023-24. Green economy is one of the top seven priorities (Saptarishi) of the Union Budget presented to the Parliament on Feb 1, 2023. The Union Budget provides for Rs. 35,000 crores for priority capital investments towards energy transition and net zero objectives, and energy security. The Budget pushes energy transition by encouraging domestic production of solar power equipment and batteries, in line with India's climate commitments.