Matribhumi Samachar English
Union Environment Minister Sh. Bhupender Yadav extended thedeadline for idea submission in Ideas4LiFE from 15th September 2024 to 15th October 2024.“Developed economies should also embrace developed ecologies. We must all cultivate a strong environmental consciousness as responsible citizens,”this was statedby Union Minister Sh. Bhupender Yadav in IIT Bombay emphasizing the need for economic and ecological fronts.
The Ministry in collaboration with the Maharashtra Environment Department today organised ‘Ideas4LiFE at IIT Bombayto inspire innovative environmental solutions. The event is an initiative to engage students, faculty and researchers in generating ideas that promote an eco-friendly lifestyle. The event seeks to engage the academic community in Mumbai and beyond, inviting participation from students and faculty of UGC, AICTE, IITs, and other educational institutions throughout India. The programme was actively participated by 1200 students, research scholars, and faculty from various educational institutions in Mumbai.
Union Minister Sh. Bhupender Yadav plants a sapling in the IIT Bombay as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign launched by prime minister Sh. Narendra Modi on 05 June 2024.
Speaking at the event, the Union Minister outlined the government’s mission and explained the theme of “Ideas4LiFE,” emphasizing the interconnectedness of all aspects of life.He stressed that ‘life’ encompasses more than just human needs, advocating for the harmonious co-existence of all living beings and the environment.
Union Minister emphasized that a human-centric approach to development is insufficient, advocating instead for an ecologically conscious model. He highlighted the adverse effects of development, such as rising temperatures and biodiversity loss, underscoring the essential role of nature in providing food, energy, medicine, and other resources. He underscored the importance of preserving one-third of the Earth for biodiversity, noting that around 50,000 species are used for human consumption. He also outlined three essential actions for sustainable development: changing consumption demands, improving supply systems, and implementing effective policies.
Highlighting India’s environmental accomplishments, he noted that the government achieved its renewable energy targets nine years ahead of schedule and launched the Soil Health Card initiative to minimize chemical use in agriculture.
Union Minister also discussed the global food waste problem, highlighting that 15 billion tonnes end up in landfills annually. He called for education, innovation, and technological advancements to be focused on improving and preserving nature.He concluded by inviting ideas and suggestions from the students from various colleges, urging them to contribute to preserving nature and reducing waste, which would ultimately help integrate ecological balance into development strategies.
The event was attended by Tanmay Kumar, Special Secretary of MoEF&CC; Pravin Darade, Principal Secretary (Environment) of the Government of Maharashtra; Amandeep Garg, Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC; Prof. Shireesh B. Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay; and various officers from MoEF&CC and the state government.
Background
The Ideas4LiFE ideathon covers seven themes of Mission LiFE – Save Water, Save Energy, Reduce Waste, Reduce E-Waste, Say No to Single-Use Plastics, Adopt Sustainable Food Systems, and Adopt Healthy Lifestyles.
