Summer after summer, some or the other part of our city, state or country, stares at a major water crisis. Be it a farmer running from pillar to post to get irrigation water or a household battling water shortage – the struggle indicates the dire need for water conservation. With a view to sensitize citizens towards conserving water and other pressing environment conservation-related concerns, the second edition of India Environment Festival (IEF) 2018, an initiative by World Around You (WAY), is themed on ‘I am Water’. After the successful completion of the first edition of IEF 2017 in Ahmedabad, the city will witness the second edition – IEF18 from February 16-18, 2018.
The idea behind organizing IEF is to connect people with environment at various layers. Explaining further, Ms Wricha Johari, co-founder, WAY, said, “Conserving the environment doesn’t mean planting a tree. It is a way of life that needs to be adopted at each step – be it by reducing wastage, recycling, making informed purchase decisions or conscious fashion choices or conserving natural resources, among others. IEF18 is not just an initiative to create awareness about environment-friendly and sustainable practices; instead it is a carnival of eco-passionate people.”
“Through IEF18, we aim to connect people with environment, celebrate positive attitude towards sustainability and promote a healthy environment through a multi-disciplinary approach involving art, music, design, communication, music, craft, culture and technology.,” she added.
The theme of the second edition of IEF18 is ‘I Am Water’ and is aimed at sensitizing citizens about the importance of a single drop of potable water. “Some 748 million people across the globe struggle for access to improved source of drinking water. Even as one needs only 2.36 litre water every day, one doesn’t realize how much one consumes or often, even wastes. Water is indispensable for human survival and thus the need for conserving water is vital,” added Ms Johari.
As part of IEF18, a series of seminars and discussions on a plethora of topics will be undertaken by experts in the fraternity, addressing the issue of environment conservation and sustainability. The subjects will range from water conservation across various segments including textiles, wildlife, hospitality and agriculture. That apart IEF18 will also see an ‘Eco-Entrepreneurs’ Summit’ which will facilitate interaction with budding social entrepreneurs on bringing forth eco-friendly products and services; along with ‘IEF Talk Series’ which will witness focussed talks on environment and sustainable practices by experts from different professional arenas.
In addition to seminars and discussions, IEF18 will also witness a host of other activities and engagements through art and craft, which will truly make it a celebration of positivity towards environment.
Some of the key highlights of IEF18 include, a performance on Dastangoi – an Urdu storytelling art form; Green Screen – which will include screening of films on sustainability and climate change,
received from CMS Vatavaran; in addition to a dog adoption show and a painting competition – ‘Paint Me Blue’.
IEF18 will also host a felicitation ceremony – ‘Water Heroes’ – wherein people who have inspired millions by contributing selflessly to the cause of water conservation, will be felicitated. Sonam Wangchuk – the person from whom the character of Phunsuk Wangdu in the Bollywood film – 3 Idiots – has been inspired, Aabid Surti, founder – Drop Dead Foundation and actor, Rajshri Deshpande will be felicitated for their efforts in water conservation. The three ‘Water Heroes’ will also deliver a talk based on their experiences, narrating their journey of working towards the cause of conserving water.
