World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5th to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage action to protect our planet. It's an opportunity for individuals, communities, and governments to come together and take positive steps towards sustainable living and conservation. Each year, the day is marked by various events, campaigns, and initiatives focused on themes such as biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, plastic pollution reduction, and more. It serves as a reminder of the importance of caring for our environment and the collective responsibility we have to preserve it for future generations.
While the government endeavors to raise awareness among the populace about environmental care, there exist individuals in our society who actively work towards the betterment of the environment. On this auspicious occasion, Prameya English had met with an individual who not only dedicates his time to the nurturing of Mother Nature but also allocate his hard-earned savings towards this noble cause.
Himanshu Sekhar Nayak, hailing from a farming family in Gomundia, Krushnaprasad block of Puri district, is on a mission to green the environment. Despite facing numerous challenges in life, he has remained resilient. Now a senior manager in a renowned private bank, he allocates a portion of his income towards his passion for planting trees, shrubs, and medicinal plants.
Under the banner of "Green Parikuda," Himanshu has initiated a plantation campaign. To date, he has planted an impressive more than 50,000 saplings in his locality. His dedication to environmental conservation serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that even individuals with busy professional lives can make a significant impact on the environment through their actions.
Sharing an incident, Himanshu recounts, "During my son's birthday celebration, my family planned a grand event in our village. Curious about the expenses, I inquired with my father, who estimated a budget of up to Rs 1 lakh. Instead of indulging in lavish festivities, I proposed utilizing the funds for plantation activities. Initially hesitant, my father was keen on celebrating his grandson's milestone with relatives and villagers. However, after some persuasion, he agreed to support our green initiative. We altered the plans, conducting a modest celebration with ceremonial rituals costing around Rs 3,000, while the remaining amount was dedicated to the plantation cause."
Since that memorable day, Himanshu has made it a tradition to mark every special occasion by planting saplings. Whether it's his son's birthday or his marriage anniversary, these moments of joy are celebrated by contributing to the environment. Despite his current presence at a Navy Mumbai-based hospital, Himanshu passionately advocates for tree planting as a means to safeguard both the environment and humanity. He believes that planting trees is crucial for shielding oneself from the harsh effects of heat and urges everyone to join in this vital endeavor.
In addition to his commitment to planting trees, Himanshu also dedicates time from his busy banking schedule to participate in cleaning activities with his group. Whenever he visits his village, he prioritizes spending time on cleaning the surroundings and raising awareness among the villagers about the importance of not littering. His efforts extend beyond just planting trees, demonstrating a holistic approach to environmental conservation and community engagement.
