Environment-friendly Teej festival suggested

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 18: Fifty environmental justice activists have announced the launch of a nationwide campaign to mitigate the risks of climate change and make festivals more environmentally friendly.

They collectively signed a five-point commitment to reduce carbon emissions during an event organised in Kathmandu on Friday. The commitment includes reducing waste, minimising the use of plastic, promoting the reuse of items and raising awareness about environmental conservation.

The new campaign was initiated at an event organised by the SathSathai, which has been working in the field of environment and climate change, in collaboration with the Ministry of Forests and Environment.

SathSathai’s chairperson, Prajita Karki said that the organisation’s programmes would focus on making festivals like Teej more environmentally friendly and green. “Women are leading the change for a Green Teej,” she said. 

SathSathai has launched the 'Green, Women Leading the Change' programme focusing on the upcoming Teej festival, taking into account environmental concerns.

Among the 50 activists are Bhumikha Shrestha, Rekha Thapa, Sunita Baral, Bina Lama, Prada Karki, Shraddha Shrestha, Nima Gyaltshen Sherpa, Mitra Jirel, Renu Devi Sah, Sujan Kumari Bardewa, Rojina Pradhan Rai, Srijana Pradhan, Liberty Bhandari, Rina Chaudhary, Asmita Bade, Gauri Nepali, Smriti Sharma, and Devika Rai. 

Other activists include Krishna Karki, Sita Mizar, Uma Pradhan, Joni Mainali, Bimala Tumkhewa, Binita Kathayat, Usha Kiran Bhandari, Anjila Subba, Indu Barma, Aruna Sah, Parvati Chaudhary, Ranjana Darshana and Roshni Adhikari. 

The activists come from various fields, including politics, education, health, law, sports, banking and financial institutions, tourism, agriculture, art and journalism.

For the past three years, SathSathai has been actively working for environmental and climate justice, travelling to various provinces to carry out creative endeavours to address the impact of climate change and its mitigation.

Throughout the year, the organisation has planned various programmes to make cultural festivals environment-friendly. 

Speaking at the campaign launch event, actress Rekha Thapa stressed the need to be aware of controlling the risks of climate change to protect nature. “To save nature is to save the mother,” said Thapa. This programme needs to be taken to remote areas, she added.

Human rights activist Saru Shrestha Joshi highlighted the need to reduce squandering money during festivals and promote the reuse of old clothes.

Activist Bhumikha Shrestha said that festivals should be celebrated within one’s capacity rather than with extravagance. She expressed happiness that the sexual and gender minority communities were included in climate change-related programmes. 

Activist Sabina Kafle said that festivals should be celebrated with consideration for the environment. Other activists, Yamuna Ghale and Krishna Karki stressed the need to strengthen and make the climate and environment-friendly campaign more effective.

Nima Gyaltshen Sherpa, Chairperson of Helambu Rural Municipality, said that moving from words to action was essential in mitigating the risks of climate change. He said that his rural municipality has discouraged the use of plastic.

Shraddha Shrestha, Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, pointed out that climate change has significantly impacted Nepal's tourism sector, particularly in Himalayan tourism, mountaineering and trekking. She said that everyone should actively participate in mitigating these risks.