New Delhi:  EcoSphere- an NGO working for environmental conservation – today organized a seminar- “We and the Environment”, to make the society acknowledge its responsibility for the environment and preserve it. In the wake of the World Environment Day – celebrated every year on 5th June – EcoSphere brought together some of the best known environmentalists to discuss ways for protecting ecology and arrest its degradation.

The seminar was joined by Dr Rajendra Prasad, Magsaysay Awardee and known environmentalist, Mr M. C Metha winner of Glodman Environmental Prize, Dr Faiyaz A. Khudsar, Director, Yamuna Biodiversity, Mr. Khamu Ram Bishnoi an environmental, Mr. Sanjay Singh of Parmarth Seva Sanstha and Swaraj Abhiyan president Mr. Yogendra Yadav.

On 2nd June, for World Environment Day, EcoSpeher has asked people to take a step closer to our roots and actively asked to do any five things to protect and conserve the ecosystem because the people of this country are known to have shared a unique bond with nature for ages. This will be a way when each one of us can contribute towards the green and healthy environment.

Sharing his thoughts during the seminar a renowned water conservationist Rajendra Singh, who is also known as the waterman of India stressed on promoting awareness among people on protecting the environment. “In India we make this movement – the bringing back of resource ownership into the hands of the common man. Today, we are getting clean air and water due to society not because of the government.”

Drawing attention to an increasingly large number of farmers in Maharashtra growing sugarcane and their counterparts in Punjab and Haryana sowing paddy just to fetch more money, he said, “such changing crop pattern will lead to farm distress.”

Dr. Faiyaz A. Khudsar, the scientist in charge of Yamuna Biodiversity Park said, “with the ever growing economies we need such sustainable development that meets the needs of the present situation, without compromising the ability of future generations needs and also keeping the past heritage maintained of the environment.

Swaraj Abhiyan president Yogendra Yadav said, “Farmers are mostly affected due the climate change. These farmers and agricultural workers faced extremely stressful and difficult conditions since many years. Change in agricultural productivity patterns is due to climate change that has resulted reduced annual agricultural income. Genetically modified crops, like, ‘BT Cotton’ costs more to the farmers that has increased the risk to farmers which are falling into bankruptcy.” He further added that, “we have to develop a cordial relation with our mother nature for our future generation.”

Padma Shri and Noted environmental lawyer Mr. M.C. Mehta said, “We all have ethos which we should put into good use and make our environment clean. We must clean and protect our rivers. Despite a long series of court orders to close polluting factories and build wastewater treatment plants, too many directives were ignored by state and national authorities and water quality measurements show that the river is fouler, dangerous, and dirty than ever.”

Mr. Khamu Ram Bishnoi said, “I have started my fight for environment protection in 2005 and thereon around 300 people are associated with me in this initiative against use of plastic bags. We make people aware by our theme songs and Nukkar-Natak on drive towards cleanliness. In preservation and protection of the environment we collect information and share with our community so that everyone becomes a part of conservation. I am proud to say that we are bringing positive change by educating our society by different ways which is well taken by them and implemented accordingly.”

Mr. Sanjay Singh of Parmarth Seva Sanstha said, “We are doing advocacy on Water Right by strengthening grass-root civil society organizations. Our capacity development and promotion of diversity for inclusive, sustainable growth in India is Jal Jan Jodo Campaign. Building capacity of civil society organizations: India Jal Jan Jodo campaign was launched in 2013 by experts and activists working on water issues in eleven states. The main objective of the campaign was to connect people with water conservation issues. Under this Campaign formed “Jal Saheli” (water friends), which are women’s groups, in villages of Bundelkhand. Members of this group took steps to conserve water resources in their respective villages.

Mr. Prashant Gunjan of EcoSphere said, “EcoSphere works on Social Environmental issues very closely and has gathered various concern which are adversely impacting human life. For Millennium, our Indian Traditions has been talking about the human relationship with its environment but there is big gap has created in between and to fill this gap, EcoSphere with its “Athaah Pravaah” series of the dialogue focuses on challenges of attaining sustainable development worldwide.”

Common people of Delhi swore the oath to protect all the five elements of environment awarded to environmental preachers were distributed for their selfless contribution towards our healthy society. Mr. Yamuna Seva Samiti’s Convenor Dharmendra Gupta, Vinod Kumar Singh of Gandhinagar Foundation, Sanjay Puri of Sanjay Puri, Sanjay Puri of District Organizing Protection Foundation and SD Vijayan associated with the Ministry of Democratic Affairs were honored as Environmental Sentinels.