To Protect The Environment, Travellers Need To Adopt Sustainable Practices: Dia Mirza

New Delhi: On World Environment Day, Dia Mirza was in Shimla with a purpose. The Actor, Eco-investor, UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador & UN Secretary-General’s Advocate For Sustainable Development Goals, met Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to discuss the challenges of waste disposal and pollution in the state as a part of a World Environment Day initiative. Ms Mirza said,

As travellers, we need to adopt sustainable practices in order to protect the environment and our health.

The actor-producer spent two days in Shimla and engaged with stakeholders who work on issues like waste management and pollution. Ms Mirza emphasized on the need for individual actions and said,

While we need to continue to engage with government, authorities, and civic bodies to improve the systems of waste management, each of us has the individual responsibility to take action by refusing single-use plastics and managing waste scientifically.

Also Read: On World Environment Day, Actor Dia Mirza Shares Tips On How One Can Start To Refuse Single-Use Plastics

Ms Mirza also took part in clean-up activities in the state to underline the importance of waste management. The activity was initiated by the Healing Himalayas Foundation which since its inception five years ago, has removed over 8 Lakh Kg of non-biodegradable waste from the pristine Himalayan foothills.

Voicing her support for the cause that environmental conservation needs an urgent action and the adoption of sustainable practices, Ms Mirza further said,

This was a very rewarding session where we discussed how the eco-sensitive Himalayan region can be protected from pollution and unsustainable development.

Dia Mirza also met and praised the work of Pradeep Sangwan, the founder of Healing Himalayas, and said,

His work is revolutionizing the region’s waste management practices and also inspiring the younger generation to stand up for the environment. The work the foundation does reminds us that preserving our planet’s precious resources demands both collective action and individual commitment.

Sharing glimpses of the meet-up and the action-plan discussed to manage waste and pollution in Himachal Pradesh, Pradeep Sangwan took to his social media to share an update on World Environment Day. Putting up a photo with Ms Mirza, he said,

“Happy world environment day. Celebrating with @diamirzaofficial. Last couple of days we have discussed a lot and soon everything will be implemented on ground. Some of the highlights are :

1. Tourism hotels must make their hotels zero waste, to start with why not hotels handle wet waste within the premises. Starting with HPTDC (Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Marketing Office)

2. Not even a single trek route has waste management eco system – why so ?

3. Decentralise waste management in Himalayas – Just like a school, primary health care center and a temple waste management facilities should get priority

4. Wet waste in the urban areas is a challenge because of zero segregation

5. Top down and bottom up approach must come together

Watch: Government And People Need To Do More For A Sustainable Future: Dia Mirza

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In Pics: Glimpses Of World Environment Day Event In Himachal Pradesh With Dia Mirza

Actor Dia Mirza spoke with stakeholders who work on issues like waste management and pollution

Dia Mirza emphasised that it is individual responsibility to take action and help save the planet

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.