Global warming is often referred as the gradual increase in the earths surface temperature.Its popular definition also says it is the warming caused by human activities.In technical term its known as 'Anthropogenic Global Warming'.
The common debate is whether the observed global warming is natural or man made!. Well..well..i don't intend showcase any extra gyan here using technical terms but my humble intent is to reach to those reading my blog to take some initiatives in whatever ways possible to take care of nature.
It was Holi, known as Festivals of colors, few days back.And i just happened to come across some facts when i was surfing.Immediately thought of sharing with everyone.I would like to add that i am not against any religious practices but i wont even stand for one causing environmental damage and would also try my best to prevent or reduce those from happening or atleast find some other substitute for same.
The burning of fuel wood to create the bonfire for Holika Dahan presents serious environmental problem. According to a news article, studies done in the State reveal that each bonfire uses around 100 kg of wood, and considering that approximately 30,000 bonfires are lit in the state just for one season, this leads to a wastage of a staggering amount of wood. For certain communities like Fishermen community Holi is a very important festival which is celebrated for about 5 days. During this each group burns one tree (Mangrove species or Palm Species) for Holika Dhahan each day. All these traditions require a thought for celebration in a way not to harm environment. Ideally, the joyous festival of Holi is meant to celebrate the arrival of spring while the colors used in Holi are to reflect of the various hues of spring season. But unfortunately, in modern times Holi does not stand for all things beautiful. Like various other festivals, Holi too has become ruthlessly commercialized, boisterous and yet another source of environmental degradation. Environmental impacts associated with the holi festival are listed below.
Awareness is important but just being aware and not taking action or initiatives is not going to help.So lets come together and celebrate festivals in such a way that it doesn't jeopardize either our posterity nor our mother nature.Eco festivals are the need of the day.Lets not blindfold our eyes under the pretext of beliefs and religious practices.Its time to wake up and make a urgent call!
The common debate is whether the observed global warming is natural or man made!. Well..well..i don't intend showcase any extra gyan here using technical terms but my humble intent is to reach to those reading my blog to take some initiatives in whatever ways possible to take care of nature.It was Holi, known as Festivals of colors, few days back.And i just happened to come across some facts when i was surfing.Immediately thought of sharing with everyone.I would like to add that i am not against any religious practices but i wont even stand for one causing environmental damage and would also try my best to prevent or reduce those from happening or atleast find some other substitute for same.
- How Holi bonfire can be anti-environmental?And what are the ways to overcome the problem?
The burning of fuel wood to create the bonfire for Holika Dahan presents serious environmental problem. According to a news article, studies done in the State reveal that each bonfire uses around 100 kg of wood, and considering that approximately 30,000 bonfires are lit in the state just for one season, this leads to a wastage of a staggering amount of wood. For certain communities like Fishermen community Holi is a very important festival which is celebrated for about 5 days. During this each group burns one tree (Mangrove species or Palm Species) for Holika Dhahan each day. All these traditions require a thought for celebration in a way not to harm environment. Ideally, the joyous festival of Holi is meant to celebrate the arrival of spring while the colors used in Holi are to reflect of the various hues of spring season. But unfortunately, in modern times Holi does not stand for all things beautiful. Like various other festivals, Holi too has become ruthlessly commercialized, boisterous and yet another source of environmental degradation. Environmental impacts associated with the holi festival are listed below.
- Burning of wood and other combustible material creates air pollution problems.
- Cutting of trees leads to loss of biodiversity.
- Colours produced from chemicals are toxic and can result in anything from skin allergies to cancer, eye irritation, dermatitis respiratory problems to blindness... and much more.
- They do not wash away easily, get mixed in drains and sewage systems and pollute water bodies and the soil.
Composition of a Few Holi Colours:
| Chemical Colour | Composition | Health Effects |
| Black | Lead Oxide | Renal Failure, Learning disability |
| Green | Copper Sulphate | Eye Allergy, Temporary blindness |
| Purple | Chromium iodide | Bronchial asthma, Allergies |
| Silver | Aluminium Bromide | Carcinogenic |
| Red | Mercury Sulphite | Skin cancer, Minamata disease (mental retardation, paralysis, impaired vision...) |
Celebrate Holi / Rangapanchami in an Eco-friendly manner:
To avoid environmental deterioration due to Holi / Rangapanchami some things should be taken into account while celebrating it.- Do not cut green trees to burn in fire/ Holi.
- Collect dead wood and leaves for burning
- Bonfire would be of small in size.
- Organize one symbolic community fire, rather than several smaller bonfires across the city as a way to reduce pollution and deforestation.
- Use combustible waste material rather than wood like coconut coir, saw dust, or agricultural waste like dry grass, wheat straw etc.
- Celebrate holi as a Dry Holi to avoid wastage of water.
- To make aware people about environmental impacts of celebrating holi by traditional way and encourage people to celebrate it in an Eco friendly manner.
- Avoid use of chemically produced colour powders and pastes to prevent health hazard & environmental degradation.
- The safest alternative is the herbal dye.
- These dyes have turmeric and other floral and herbal extracts that act as anti-oxidants and are ultimately beneficial to the skin.
- Also, these are eco-friendly and do not harm the environment.
- Further, this herbal colour does not cause any irritation, skin allergies, respiratory problems or damage to your vital organs.
- When these colours are mixed with the soil and water they do not add toxicity to them, therefore it doesn’t harm the myriad life forms that live in the soil and water.
- By this we can bring back in large quantities the diverse plants and trees that give us these colours.
- In the Holi fire, all kinds of material other than the organic ones and those that cause harm, such as plastics, tyre tubes should be avoided as it gives rise to air pollution.
- To teach children in schools preparation of their own Holi colors from natural and safe ingredients like beetroot, rose petals, flowers, spinach and turmeric.
Awareness is important but just being aware and not taking action or initiatives is not going to help.So lets come together and celebrate festivals in such a way that it doesn't jeopardize either our posterity nor our mother nature.Eco festivals are the need of the day.Lets not blindfold our eyes under the pretext of beliefs and religious practices.Its time to wake up and make a urgent call!
-Its SR
