Environment Awareness Campaign | 24^th February 2025

"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." – Robert Swan

On 24^th February 2025, UNPRME Regional Hub Lucknow, under the mentorship of Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow, in collaboration with Rama PG College and Robin Hood Army, organized an Environment Awareness Campaign at Badi Jugauli, Lucknow. This initiative, mapped to SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, aimed to educate and empower 58 kids and 60 women from the slum areas about sustainable living practices.

The campaign was well conducted under the guidance of Dr. Reena Agrawal (Chairperson - Social Responsibility Committee) and was well coordinated by Mr. Saurabh Singh (Student Coordinator: Social Responsibility Committee), along with Ms. Preksha Jain (Senior Member - Social Responsibility Committee) and Ms. Vaishnavi Sharma (Senior Member - Social Responsibility Committee), with valuable assistance from Ms. Pratiksha Singh and Mr. Raj Shukla and 22 student volunteers from Jaipuria Institute of Management and 7 from Rama PG College, Lucknow.

The campaign began with a knowledge assessment quiz with the help of volunteers to evaluate the community’s understanding of key environmental issues such as plastic pollution, water conservation, energy-saving habits, and responsible consumption practices. This helped in identifying knowledge gaps and setting the tone for further discussions.

Following this, a series of interactive awareness activities were conducted. Volunteers educated participants on the harmful effects of plastic pollution and encouraged them to use eco-friendly alternatives like cloth bags. A water conservation demonstration showcased practical ways to minimize wastage, including rainwater harvesting techniques and mindful consumption habits. To address food waste, a prevention workshop highlighted portion control, effective food storage, and composting practices. Additionally, an energy conservation drive introduced participants to simple yet impactful measures such as switching off unused appliances, using LED bulbs, and maximizing natural light.

To reinforce the learnings, a signature campaign was conducted, where participants pledged to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives. This commitment aimed to instill a sense of responsibility and accountability among the community members.

The campaign concluded with a post-session quiz, assessing the improvement in participants’ understanding of sustainability concepts. The results showed a notable enhancement in knowledge, reflecting the effectiveness of the awareness initiatives.

The campaign directly impacted 118 individuals in the slum area, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental sustainability and equipping them with practical solutions to incorporate into their daily lives. The campaign sought to create long-term behavioural changes by instilling a sense of responsibility towards natural resources. By making informed choices, the residents were encouraged to become active participants in the fight against environmental degradation. Through this campaign, the community gained valuable insights into reducing waste, conserving resources, and adopting environmentally friendly alternatives, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Bytes of the Beneficiaries:

1. RamaDevi
   "पहले हमें लगता था कि पानी तो हर जगह मिलता है, लेकिन आज समझ आया कि यह बहुत कीमती है। मुझे पानी बचाने के तरीके सीखकर अच्छा लगा, जैसे नल खुला न छोड़ना और बर्तन धोते समय कम पानी इस्तेमाल करना। अब मैं यह आदत अपने परिवार में भी डालूंगी।"
2. Madhuri
   "जब हमें बताया गया कि प्लास्टिक हमारी ज़मीन और नदियों को गंदा करता है, तो मुझे बहुत बुरा लगा। सोचिए, अगर हम ऐसे ही प्लास्टिक फेंकते रहेंगे, तो हमारी आने वाली पीढ़ियों को कितनी परेशानी होगी! अब से मैं कपड़े का बैग इस्तेमाल करूंगी और दूसरों को भी समझाऊंगी कि प्लास्टिक कम करें।"
3. Dhaneshwari
   "मुझे खाने की बर्बादी रोकने के बारे में सीखना बहुत अच्छा लगा। कई बार हम ज्यादा खाना बना लेते हैं और फिर उसे फेंक देते हैं। आज मैंने जाना कि हम बचे हुए खाने को अलग-अलग तरीकों से इस्तेमाल कर सकते हैं। मैं अब से कोशिश करूंगी कि घर में खाना व्यर्थ न हो और इसे सही से स्टोर करूं।"
4. Kalavati
   "मुझे बिजली बचाने के तरीके जानकर बहुत अच्छा लगा। पहले मैं ध्यान नहीं देती थी, लेकिन अब समझ आया कि बिना जरूरत के बिजली जलाना सिर्फ पैसे की बर्बादी ही नहीं, बल्कि पर्यावरण के लिए भी नुकसानदायक है। अब मैं पंखे और लाइट बेकार में चालू नहीं छोड़ूंगी और अपने बच्चों को भी यही सिखाऊंगी।"

The Campaign was an effort to instill environmental consciousness and collective action, leaving a lasting impact on both the volunteers and the community. By fostering awareness and encouraging sustainable practices, the initiative not only empowered individuals with knowledge but also inspired them to take responsibility for a greener future. The event served as a stepping stone toward long-term behavioral change, reinforcing the importance of small yet significant actions in protecting the environment.

Team Media Relations Committee for the Workshop coverage:
Under the guidance of Faculty Coordinator: Dr. Reeti Agarwal

Writer: Mr. Saurabh Singh, Ms. Vaishnavi Sharma & Mr. Shubham Kumar Pandey

Photographer: Team SRC

Graphic Designer: Mr. Shubham Kumar Pandey