Garhwal Post Bureau
Rishikesh, 5 Jun: Under the guidance of Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, World Environment Day was celebrated at Parmarth Niketan as a powerful call to heal both the inner and outer environments through conscious living, collective action, and spiritual responsibility.
Convened by Parmarth Niketan and the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the gathering served as a sacred confluence of spirituality, sustainability, and social action, bringing together faith leaders, policymakers, environmentalists, celebrities, and community change-makers committed to creating a healthier and more sustainable future for all.
Held under the banner “Faith, Food & Fashion – Sustainable Living Initiative”, the special plenary brought together revered spiritual leaders, government representatives, United Nations officials, environmental advocates, youth, and renowned actress and environmental champion famous Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon to explore how everyday choices in food, fashion, and faith can become transformative forces for protecting the planet.
The day’s celebrations began with a sacred World Environment Day Yajna, culminating in a special session integrated into Parmarth Niketan’s ongoing spiritual gatherings, which allowed sustainability messages to reach thousands of devotees and visitors. The day’s events emphasised the theme “Inner Environment – Outer Environment: A Path to Planetary Peace”, recognising that healing the planet begins with cultivating awareness, responsibility, and harmony within ourselves.
The main stage programme at noon featured a ceremonial lamp lighting, symbolising the light of awareness and collective responsibility, as well as a collective environmental pledge in which participants committed themselves to reducing waste, embracing sustainable lifestyles, protecting natural resources, and supporting ecological restoration efforts.
Participants also took part in a special Jhola Andolan (Cloth Bag Movement), pledging to reduce and ultimately eliminate the use of single-use plastics by embracing reusable cloth bags in their daily lives. This was followed by a meaningful tree-pledge aligned with the national campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, Ek Ped Dharti Maa Ke Naam”.
Swami Chidanand Saraswati shared, “If we truly wish to save Mother Earth, we must plant more trees. We cannot create water, but we can certainly conserve it. Plastic, especially single-use plastic, must be eliminated from our lives at its roots.”
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, International Director of Parmarth Niketan and Secretary General of GIWA, added, “The Ganga does not flow only outside us; she flows within us as well. At a time when the world faces increasing shortages of food, land, and resources, we continue to create more problems instead of solutions. Our scriptures teach us ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and ‘Ishavasyam Idam Sarvam’ — the whole world is one family and everything belongs to the Divine. Mother Earth is not merely a resource; she is our Mother. Every minute, forests are being destroyed and enormous quantities of water are consumed through unsustainable systems of production. At the same time, thousands of people continue to suffer from hunger and malnutrition. By embracing compassion, conscious consumption, and more sustainable food choices, we can create profound positive change. Our faith must be reflected in our actions, for that is the true essence of spirituality.”
Raveena Tandon urged, “Development and environmental protection must go hand in hand. Every creature on this planet has a purpose in the Divine design, and we have a responsibility to protect all forms of life. The future of our children depends upon the purity of our air, water, and soil. If our environment is polluted, what kind of legacy are we leaving behind? We must respect every living being, adopt sustainable practices, use natural and eco-friendly alternatives, protect trees and wildlife, and reduce the greed and excessive consumption that lie at the root of many environmental challenges.”
Sant Muralidhar added, “The divine beauty of Panchavati reminds us of the sacred relationship between humanity and nature. Lord Shri Ram spent much of His exile living in forests, in harmony with the natural world, teaching us through His example that a life rooted in nature is both simple and secure. Our traditions have always emphasised reverence for forests, rivers, and all forms of life. By reconnecting with nature and embracing a more natural way of living, we not only protect the environment but also nurture peace, balance, and spiritual well-being within ourselves.”
Vinod Mishra, Country Manager, UNOPS India, and Dr Sumit Sharma, Deputy Head, UNEP India Office, also addressed the gathering.
State Cabinet Minister Pradeep Batra stated, “World Environment Day is a day of service, gratitude, and commitment to Mother Earth. We often refer to it simply as land, but in truth it is our Mother, sustaining and nurturing all life. As we pursue development and progress, we must ensure that we also preserve our priceless natural heritage — our rivers, mountains, forests, and the Himalayas. Protecting the environment is not separate from serving humanity; it is an essential part of it.”
Also present was actress, wellness advocate, and philanthropist Dr Sanchita Shetty. The programme was moderated by Ganga Nandini, Senior Project Director of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA).
The celebrations concluded with the sacred Ganga Aarti dedicated to environmental healing and planetary wellbeing, followed by a collective prayer for peace, harmony, and ecological balance.
