Kathmandu, Aug 16: Fifty campaigners working in the environment justice sector have declared a nationwide campaign to mitigate climate change risks and make festivals environment-friendly.
They signed a collective commitment letter on five different charters to reduce carbon emissions amidst a programme organized in Kathmandu today. The pledges include reducing waste, lowering the use of plastic, recycling and reusing goods, and creating public awareness to preserve environment.
The new campaign has been declared at a programme organized by the Sath Sathai Foundation, which has been working in the field of environment and climate change, in collaboration with the Ministry of Forest and Environment.
Foundation Chairperson Prajita Karki said the collective campaign would be focused on making festivals, including Teej environment-friendly and greener. “Women are leading the change for the green Teej,” she said, adding the government has launched the ‘Green – Women Leading the Change’ programme keeping in mind the environmental aspects of the upcoming Teej festival.
The Foundation has initiated the campaign in view of upcoming Teej festival taking into consideration the environmental aspects.
Among the activists are Bhumika Shrestha, Rekha Thapa, Sunita Baral, Bina Lama, Prada Karki, Shraddha Shrestha, Nima Gyaljen Sherpa, Mitra Jirel, Renu Devi Sah, Sujan Kumari Bardewa, Rojina Pradhan Rai, Srichha Pradhan, Liberty Bhandari, Rina Chaudhary, Asmita Bade, Gaura Nepali, Smriti Sharma and Devika Rai.
Krishna Karki, Sita Mijar, Uma Pradhan, Joni Mainali, Bimala Tumkhewa, Binita Kathayat, Usha Kiran Bhandari, Anjila Subba, Indu Barma, Aruna Sah, Parbata Chaudhary, Ranju Darshana, Roshni Adhikari and others are also in the activism for environment justice.
The activists represent politics, education, health, law, sports, banks and financial institutions, tourism, agriculture, art and journalism.
It may be noted that the Foundation has been active for environment and climate justice for the last three years and has been working constructively in various provinces for the impact of climate change and its mitigation.
At the campaign declaration programme, film actor Rekha Thapa stressed the importance of public awakening to avert risks stemming from climate change.
Also speaking on the occassion, Helambu Rural Municipality Chairperson Neema Gyaljen Sherpa highlighted the need of concrete actions for lessening climate change induced risks. He shared that his rural municipality has discouraged the use of plastic. —
