"We are from Thakur, we will cut the tree, because Thakur wants wood"

"We will not let you cut the tree. You can cut us, but not our tree" - said the bold lady.

The debate continued. People from the village joined one after another.

The trees were saved, but the cost was a huge sacrifice. Total 363 people laid their lives to protect the trees. I am talking about Smt. Amrita Devi Bishnoi of Rajasthan. She started Chipko movement in Khejrli village in Jodhpur in 1730 - an example of rare sacrifice. The story continues to inspire actions. The Bishnoi community in Rajasthan still continues to protect trees and wild life. Let us salute her (Amrita Devi) on this World Environment Day - 5th June. The initiatives for environment, climate and ecology must be appreciated, recognised and followed. Broadly speaking, we find four types of environmental initiatives: -

a. Protesting against acts damaging our environment
b. Raising community action for restoring environmental damage
c. Taking proactive initiatives for some environmental activity
d. Raising voice with regard to public policies for environment

Prof. P.C. Jain, through Scouts and Guides Movement in Rajasthan planted 11,11,111 trees on a single day at the same time (11/7/11 at 11.00 am). Many people told him that that was an impossible goal that he was pursuing. But Prof. Jain stood by his commitments and ultimately achieved, what can be termed as a rare achievement. In achieving this objective, he had to seek cooperation from various government departments, education department, various government schools and other officials. He was able to accomplish his mission and was able to give the young students the responsibility of nurturing trees for the future. Another instance is that of Mr. Nirmal Bardia. He has been trying to raise over 1 crore trees in deep desert areas in Rajasthan. His initiatives are also based on community involvement. He has been trying to bring this revolution through involvement of masses. These scattered initiatives can give us a solid pitch, if we are able to integrate these initiatives and raise awareness on these initiatives.
I would like to propose 3 suggestions to strengthen our environmental initiatives: -

a. Tell youth about initiatives to raise awareness on environmental issues and show them the impact: Take the youth to places, which can inspire in them a willingness to take action for the environment. (For example, Suresh Gyan Vihar University took its students to Bheekampur, at the bank of River Arvari, which is one of the seven rivers, which has been revived through people participation by Tarun Bharat Singh under the guidance and initiatives of Shri Rajendra Singh ji).

b. Connect youth to those who do something great for environment: Youth need purposeful initiatives and they will join with great fervour. There is a need to connect the youth with all such initiatives, which are for the sacred cause of environment. (for example, our students have connected to environmental initatives of Mr. Sujit Lalwani, whereby students are trying to prepare notebooks from papers which have been used on one side).

c. Document all such initiatives.