BMC Launches #GenerationRestoration to Combat Climate Change
BMC Launches #GenerationRestoration to Combat Climate Change
In a bid to tackle the pressing issue of climate change, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has rolled out a series of initiatives aimed at environmental restoration and sustainability.
5th June 2024
“Agar dharti se hai pyaar, toh karo #BhoomiNamaskar,” said Mr. Bhushan Gagrani, Municipal Commissioner and Administrator, BMC, on the occasion of World Environment Day.
5th June marks the annual celebration of World Environment Day, with nations worldwide coming together to raise awareness and take action on pressing environmental issues. This year, the focus is on “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience,” highlighting the critical need to address land degradation and its impacts on communities and ecosystems.
In a bid to tackle the pressing issue of climate change, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has rolled out a series of initiatives aimed at environmental restoration and sustainability. Municipal Commissioner and Administrator, Mr. Bhushan Gagrani, has called upon the citizens of Mumbai to join hands with BMC in this crucial endeavour.
He presses the need for collective action, saying, “Sadly, climate change is not only constricted to our drawing room discussions. It is here to stay with us. We are experiencing turbulent weather, which is taking a toll on our everyday life. It is disturbing our normal life, lifestyle and day to day functioning. It is causing human as well as material losses. That is the reason we need to sensitise ourselves and the next generation.”
Under the banner of #GenerationRestoration, a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), the United Nations, BMC and the Bhamla Foundation, the initiative seeks to mobilise public support for green practices and environmental conservation. Mr. Gagrani says, “We have taken measures to achieve the environment balance in the city. With the support of both the Government of India and the Maharashtra government, we have set rules and regulations for single use plastic, have banned certain construction materials, set up sewage treatment plants so that the waste is properly treated.”
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, to meet the crucial goal of halting global warming below 2°C, greenhouse gas emissions must be slashed by nearly half by 2030, emphasising the vital role of ecosystem restoration. Scientists highlight that ambitious restoration efforts, coupled with decarbonisation of national economies, are essential.
Halting land and ocean degradation could prevent the loss of 1 million endangered species, with just 15% ecosystem restoration in priority areas potentially reducing extinctions by 60%. This underscores the pivotal role of restoration in securing the prosperity and well-being of humanity, providing essential benefits from food and water to health and security for present and future generations.
Mr. Gagrani emphasises that “Encouraging particularly the young generation to practise rain water harvesting, taking steps to preserve the trees” are building blocks towards a sustainable future. On 5th June, he urged citizens to, “take this cause forward and make sustainable living a real possible dream to be achieved.”
