Tushar Mangl

As I write this, we are surrounded by a Global Health Emergency. The Covid-19 virus has not just caused a pandemic but also shaken the way our Planet functions. Picture Copyright Tushar Mangl 2021 Millions are dying, economies shattered, travel is becoming harder by the day, all due to this Pandemic. In this backdrop, it becomes vital that we pay attention to this year's Earth Day theme. In the year 1970, the Earth Day movement began in the United States, raising concerns about the harm to our environment and seeking solutions for the same. In 2021 its purpose remains as relevant as 51 years ago. As our population increases, so is the grave harm to our Planet. It is this harm that is resulting in climate change, threatening ecosystems, and destroying wildlife spaces.  Animals to Humans virus transfer thus becomes inevitable, raising possibilities of Pandemics like Covid-19.  The theme this restore our Earth might be our chance to atone the mistakes of the past. We don&#

North India's air is so polluted that many of its large cities regularly feature in Global top 100 lists of bad air.  (Creeper Rose - Picture by @tusharmangl)  Ludhiana District in the state of Punjab is another city with air not fit to breathe in. While there are many reasons for the massive pollution of air, we have  witnessed few solutions from the society. In fact, like other districts, deforestation is so common, tree cutting looks like a favorite hobby of citizens. Everywhere I hear the same refrain. Now that everyone needs a car bigger and flashier than the neighbor let's get rid of the green belts.  It's the duty of trees to make way for concrete to house those cars, like their cousins were cut to make homes for humans. Given this situation, I am impressed by a few going beyond the rhetoric and social media posse's and formulating solutions. Some activists approach NGT to keep authorities in check. Some are creating awareness with RTI and all. Sambha