We must bring the greening concept home

Representation pic

This paper recently highlighted an initiative by the BMC, Mission Green Mumbai, and the Rotary Club, who came together to promote flowering pots or planters made out of defunct tyres.

Old auto-rickshaw tyres were fashioned into lotus bloom-shaped planters in which conifer plants were placed. These were then transferred to a Bandra West park, an attractive addition to the well-kept green space.

The heartening aspect was that these fired the imagination of walkers who were curious about how they were made. The park personnel got several ‘orders' for the planters though these were not on sale, our report stated.

This proves that people are keen on greening and want to do the so-called right thing. There has also been added stress on oxygen, in the wake of fierce COVID waves.

A top BMC official stated that this is one more initiative to make people aware that eco-consciousness is no longer removed from their life. It can become part of ordinary, everyday living. One does not have to join movements or be intimated by catchphrases like combat climate change.

In fact, make small changes yourself, in your homes and housing societies. These planters have been made from tyres that had been discarded in rubbish heaps. They would have been burnt anyway, so one is also cutting air pollution by reusing them. Those making these tyres took the help of the internet. Experts stated that one can grow different kinds of plants in these durable pots that can be made aesthetically pleasing if one wishes. The point is that people can do so; it is all within their comfort zone.

Look for more people-centric ways to cut pollution and reduce the carbon footprint. Demystify greening and remove intimidation from the global warming concept. Bring the battle home in different ways.