Every June 5th, we celebrate World Environment Day with predictable enthusiasm. Slogans are raised, speeches are delivered, tree saplings are planted, and photographs are taken to showcase our concern for Mother Nature. But truth be told – Has Environmental responsibility been reduced to an one- day event?
The image shown above offers a powerful answer. “How will they know where to put their vote when they don’t know where to put their waste“?
The message is sharp, uncomfortable and painfully relevant. While citizens proudly participate in democratic processes and debate the future of the nation, many continue to throw garbage on roadsides, into rivers, forests, and public spaces without a second thought. The image exposes a fundamental contradiction in our society. We demand accountability from leaders while refusing to take responsibility for own actions.
What is the value of celebrating World Environmental Day if our surroundings continue to be desecrated with plastic, waste and abject negligence?
Planting a sapling for a photograph is easy. Nurturing it for years is difficult. Sharing Environmental messages online is easy. Changing everyday habits is difficult. The real Environmental crisis is not a lack of awareness, it is a lack of civic responsibility.
The image serves as a reminder that Environmental protection begins with basic discipline. A society that cannot manage its waste cannot claim to be Environmentally conscious. A community that litters its surroundings cannot genuinely celebrate nature.
As June 5th approaches, perhaps it is time to move beyond symbolic gestures. The earth does not need another day of speeches. It needs cleaner streets, protected forests, unpolluted rivers, and responsible behaviour by citizens.
Because the greatest Environmental campaign is not conducted on a stage. It begins with what we do when nobody is watching.
On a separate note, I want to highlight two separate points.
- Isn’t it ironical that we celebrate World Environment Day when the ill-effects of War wreaks havoc on the planet? Sadly here is a dire fact and quote –‘ the President of the most polluting and oppressive country in modern history had the courage to step up to the UN podium and say, with no hesitation, that climate change is not only a “hoax” but “the largest con job ever perpetrated on the planet”.
- A close friend observed that the Kingdom of Bhutan celebrates Social Forestry Day on 3rd June of each year. Why I pick Bhutan is that they are about the size of Kodagu in terms of population (700,000 in number) and they realise that the environment cannot be protected in isolation. The day highlights Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) pillars, specifically emphasizing sustainable resource management and empowering local communities to protect their natural surroundings.
On this day, all citizens, students, civil servants, and community groups participate in large-scale tree-planting campaigns across school premises, community forests, and protected areas – an exercise that results in 700,000 new native tree saplings, including fruits, are planted every year. It comes as no surprise that the 70% forest/green cover is maintained as a philosophy of their existence. Some of it can be attributed to the influence of Buddhism. There is no garbage, minimal corruption, no crimes, no hartals or violent processions – remarkable for a Nation that is geographically about ten times the size of Kodagu.
Now here is another eye-opener – tourism is strictly controlled. There is an entry fee of $100 per day for foreigners (Indians are viewed as “brothers” and charged only ₹1200 per day). And yet the place has good footfall of tourists, including many from India (extremely well behaved and compliant)! Is there a lesson here for Kodagu – perhaps there is! Not only will there be an appreciation of our green cover, but the uncontrolled influx of migrants will be under control – a huge necessity to prevent the loss of cultural identity of the original inhabitants. The money collected as “fees” is used to improve infrastructure, monuments and control the ecological damage that over tourism can create.
I will stop with a brief explanation of Gross National Happiness. GNH is distinguishable from Gross Domestic Product by attempting to be a more direct measure of collective happiness through emphasizing harmony with nature and select cultural values, as expressed in the 9 domains of happiness and 4 pillars of GNH. According to the Bhutanese government, the four pillars of GNH are:
- sustainable and equitable socio-economic development;
- environmental conservation;
- preservation and promotion of culture; and
- good governance.
The nine domains of GNH are:
- psychological well-being
- health
- time use
- education
- cultural diversity and resilience
- good governance
- community vitality
- ecological diversity and resilience
- living standards
Food for thought – I certainly think the above is most relevant, especially if we can get together as a community and create an “equivalent” platform as to what matters most to the Kodava way of life as it existed pre-1956. Afterall, Kodagu and Kodavas were known across the country and dare I say world, for our integrity, respect for Nature, inclusive leadership stature, hard work and community spirit for all who followed the Kodava way life.
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Mamatha has a a strong penchant to choose the right topics always and also hitting bullseye in her narration. The narration strengthens by the BHUTAN comparison. Well if one looks at the whole issue in perspective what’s pretty clear is that this cannot be a mechanical exercise on world environment day but a sustained and passionate exercise throughout the year. This naturally comes out from the passion one has for his or her homeland and simply cannot be enforced. Why would someone out of kodagu without roots in kodagu be passionate about saving Kodagus environment??? So the onus and responsibility of saving kodagu lies with people of kodagu and not outsiders and hence lets all passionately try to save and retain kodagus ecosystem as is and leave behind what we inherited to our children.
Once again, a write-up by Ms. Kodandera Mamatha Subbaiah that captures the heart of the matter. The title hits the nail on the head:
“How will they know where to put their vote when they don’t know where to put their waste?” Such a pertinent
perspective. It’s perplexing that in Kodagu, where the literacy rate is so high, the garbage problem persists. Is it the cause the burgeoning migrant population – in Kerala however, everything is spick and span. Is the tourists’ irresponsible behaviour – not entirely the case. Cleanliness has to become a way of our existence as was the case pre-1956.
This article reminds me of 2014, when we, the residents of Vaishnavi Nakshatra, planted several saplings near the Yeshwantpur railway station. While a few were recently removed for the K-RIDE project, I am heartened to see that quite a few have been left untouched and are still growing.
The apt reference to Bhutan makes me recount the experience from my 2018 biking trip to Bhutan. To enter, we had to pass through Jaigaon on the Indian side—the final town, which was incredibly dirty. Yet, just across the border wall, Phuntsholing on the Bhutanese side was impeccably clean and organized. The civic sense there is astonishing; when I parked my bike and the side stand accidentally touched the white parking line, a passing pedestrian kindly advised me to park strictly within the marking.
Coming from Bangalore, I was used to chaotic city riding and overtaking from the left. However, a Bhutanese traffic cop gently advised me to overtake only from the right. That is the kind of ingrained discipline you see in such a tiny country.
Even the trek to Tiger’s Nest was flawless—not a single piece of garbage anywhere.
As Ms. Subbaiah beautifully highlighted in her article, environmental protection begins with basic, everyday discipline. And that discipline must start right in our own homes to become a way of our everyday lives. Also the respect for Nature and the green cover is a marvel to behold. A real eye-opener. One doesn’t hear of human-animal conflicts either. Perhaps Buddhism teaches them to be cognizant of all creatures occupying the land.
Reproduced from TIME Magazine – a quote from Prince Harry on Sir David Attenborough:
At 100, Sir David Attenborough has spent a lifetime delivering us the facts with patience, honesty, and wonder. He has shown us the world in all its brilliance and fragility, and in doing so has left humanity with both a gift and a responsibility. The question now is whether those with the power to act will choose to lead before more of our world—our life support system—is lost.
“Happy World Environment Day to everyone”
Today we’re not just celebrating trees and rivers. We’re celebrating us… because environment isn’t out there. It’s the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land that grows our food. This year’s theme reminds us: We are part of nature, not apart from it.
Summers are hotter. Snakes, like the king cobra are coming closer to homes , because their forests are shrinking. Plastic is choking our Brahmaputra.
Climate change isn’t a future problem. It’s happening in Digboi, in Tinsukia, in our backyards.
Big changes start small:- Refuse , Reduce, Reuse. Carry a cloth bag. Say no to one plastic bottle today.
One neem or bamboo sapling helps more than exotic plants. They support local birds, bees, and even snakes in their own space.
A clean environment means king cobras stay in forests, not in our houses. Segregate waste so animals don’t come scavenging.
We inherited this earth from our parents. We’re borrowing it from our children. So this Environment Day, let’s make one promise: Do one thing daily for the next year… switch off a light, save a liter of water, plant one tree.
Because if every person here does just one thing, that’s thousands of small “Happy World Environment Day to everyone”
Today we’re not just celebrating trees and rivers. We’re celebrating us… because environment isn’t out there. It’s the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land that grows our food. This year’s theme reminds us: We are part of nature, not apart from it.
Summers are hotter. Snakes, like the king cobra are coming closer to homes , because their forests are shrinking. Plastic is choking our Brahmaputra. Climate change isn’t a future problem. It’s happening in Digboi, in Tinsukia, in our backyards.
Big changes start small:- Refuse , Reduce, Reuse. Carry a cloth bag. Say no to one plastic bottle today.
One neem or bamboo sapling helps more than exotic plants. They support local birds, bees, and even snakes in their own space.
A clean environment means king cobras stay in forests, not in our houses. Segregate waste so animals don’t come scavenging.
We inherited this earth from our parents. We’re borrowing it from our children. So this Environment Day, let’s make one promise: Do one thing daily for the next year… switch off a light, save a liter of water, plant one tree.
Because if every person here does just one thing, that’s thousands of small acts. And that’s how we change the world.
Jai Hind, Jai Prakriti. 🙏
Extremely good quote from Native Americans whose “oneness” with Nature was destroyed by the Settlers. Hopefully the new age resort investors and tourists will not do a repeat in Kodagu. Collectively we can stop the scourge of tourism.
From time immemorial our ancestors have held on to our “inherited land” during their lifetimes and handed it over to the next generation. Why is this tradition being broken?
Meaningful environmental change begins with small, consistent actions by individuals, communities, and policymakers alike. This article rightly emphasizes that protecting our environment requires far more than annual celebrations and symbolic gestures. Real progress will come when sustainability becomes an integral part of our daily choices, institutional practices, and development priorities. A timely and thought-provoking read for World Environment Day.
Good celebratory message responsibly posted by CLN Online. Please share this LinkedIn message – so relevant for the occasion.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/forest-teaches-through-commands-whispers-heard-those-hemanth-xwxhc
I agree – there is a lot we can learn from trees. The lessons of the forest are not merely botanical curiosities — they offer a mirror, reflecting patterns that shape our own societies, values, and ambitions.
Tokenism has been the bane of the environmental movement ever since it entered human consciousness.
Rather than just plant saplings on this day i will call for environmental concious folks to plants seeds of EQ’s in as many people as they can.
And EQ isn’t emotional quotient, it’s Environmental Quotient.
We need a large enough base of environmentally conscious guardians in this world to reach a tipping point, when we all shall say, is so obvious that saving the earth is saving ourselves.
Humanity needs this to happen so that a Trump will think twice before calling climate change an hoax.
Ms Mamatha Subhaiah has done a commendable job in planting these seeds of EQ’s on this world environmental day.
Hope this article reaches a wide audience.
Nice article by Coffee Land News on Environment Day.
We too have tried our best over the years to create awareness and even personally played the role of garbage pickers. It is painful to see that Kodagu, one of the highest literacy districts, is today in such a pathetic condition filled with garbage. Sadly, many landowners are least bothered even about keeping the areas just outside their boundaries clean.
My recent visit to Talacauvery left unforgettable memories for the wrong reasons. The road from Bhagamandala to Talacauvery was filled with garbage. Devotees were spending time near the Sangama like it was a picnic spot, eating chips and biscuits and throwing waste around. Authorities were present, but there seemed to be no control or proper planning by the administration.
The real solution has to begin with education. Over the next 15 years, our education system must change. Every year, schools should include subjects focused on cleanliness, environmental responsibility, and protecting Mother Earth. Making NCC training compulsory for at least one year in schools, especially around 8th standard, can help instill discipline and civic responsibility in children from a young age.
Today, in the name of Environment Day, many simply pose while planting trees without any scientific approach. For example, the beautiful natural grasslands around Thadiyandamol are being converted into semi deciduous forests, damaging the original topography and ecosystem that existed naturally for generations.
The government must step forward strongly implement heavy fines for littering, establish more waste to energy units, create economic value for garbage, and start a true environmental revolution. For all this, we need visionary leadership with long term commitment and practical thinking.
If Kodagu had stayed independent state, we could’ve been India’s Bhutan.
Instead, we’re going from bad to worse. No political will, zero environmental empathy. Tourism brings money — and mountains of waste. Waste management? A joke. EQ? Missing. Resorts and homestays mushrooming without zoning laws.
We earn for Karnataka, but get crumbs in return..
The future of Kodagu is being reduced to just real estate and tourism. If we don’t have the foresight to recognize this trend and enforce discipline, we stand to lose Paddy fields and coffee estates converted into plots and resorts & out towns. Without planning, zoning, and political will, “tourism & real estate” will become Kodagu’s only identity — and its downfall.
Civilization is not revealed by how loudly we celebrate Environment Day. It is revealed by what our rivers, forests, roadsides, and public spaces look like the other 364 days of the year. Nature does not listen to speeches. It keeps score through consequences. 🌿
This is a very good article written by Ms Mamatha Subbaiah in a non-pedantic nor a prescriptive manner. She is absolutely right in pointing out that any measure to improve the environment cannot be done in isolation. In Kodagu, there has to be a determined process at the grass roots levels for restoring green cover by involving all strata amongst all residents of Kodagu. Start with school and college going children – who always have a profound impact on their elders. This concept could be extended to the perennial problem of garbage.
The real eye opener was the reference to Bhutan. I have heard from travellers to Bhutan about the “peoples” commitment to Social Forestry Day – on an extended basis. The Forest Department apparently takes genuine pride in looking after their national asset of 70% green cover almost on a PPP basis (public private partnership). Visible commitment by their down-to-earth King provides a touch of realistic involved leadership.
The added fact that the population of Kodagu is similar to that of the kingdom, alongwith their dependence on Tourism as a key source to livelihood, there are many lessons to be learnt. Resorts and Hotels are largely owned by locals (at best the land is leased – a lesson for Kodavas?), a daily tariff ensures that only those REALLY INTERESTED in the place visit, a “local” accompanying guide (cleared by an agency like COHERA/Tourism Department with proper training) is “mandatory”, uncontrolled and unaccounted for migrants altering the appearance of the landscape and the local culture CANNOT take place. Many lessons for Kodava Organizations and The District Administration – if only people would collaborate to create a common platform for effective implementation.
Thoughtfully written, thank you for highlighting the gulf between symbolic acts and real responsibility. Planting saplings and posting messages matter only if we follow through with daily discipline: proper waste disposal, controlled tourism, and community stewardship. Kodagu can learn from Bhutan’s focus on sustainable living and Gross National Happiness while preserving our unique culture.