To minimize water consumption use water in buckets for bathing instead of shower / bathing tub. Dry clothes in sun instead of using dryer. Use washing machine for washing clothes on weekend instead of daily. Collect the kitchen water and use for gardening, sprinkling of water in the open areas to control dust.

 

2. Adopt greening of areas: to minimize air pollution and improve aesthetics.

To maintain greenery in order to improve aesthetics and minimize air pollution, plant saplings in open spaces, undertake greening by growing grass along pavements. Organize plantation drives by involving school children, housing society members, shopkeepers association and general public.

3. Avoid honking.

To reduce pollution of noise as it effects aged citizens, infants, sick and also pet animals, avoid honking specially near schools, hospitals, housing localities. Construction activities which generates noise should be undertaken at appropriate hours with noise absorbers and noise proofing systems so as not to disturb neighbourhood. Avoid loud music during marriage ceremonies, domestic functions, religious functions, while driving cars etc.

 

To minimize air pollution follow traffic rules, don’t drive with high speed, maintain lane driving, switch hold your car engine at traffic signals and in parking areas, avoid roadside parking and park in identified parking areas. Avoid unnecessary use of brakes and don’t overload your vehicles.

5. Segregate waste and dispose it appropriately.

To enable sorting of waste and to minimize load on landfill sites, segregate waste at source such as home, offices, schools etc. into biodegradable and non- biodegradable. The biodegradable could be used for composting in the open areas or install bio-digesters within office complex/residential societies/ market place etc. The non –biodegradable which include recyclables such as metals, glass shall be sent to recyclers. Other construction waste shall be sent to C&D waste centers for converting into bricks and other products.

 

 

To conserve water and to minimize stress on public distribution of water, adopt rain water harvesting in schools, hospitals residential complex etc. Use aerator in faucet, use mug water while bruising or shaving. Adopt mopping of floor instead of washing them.

 

To recharge ground water, maintain aesthetics and to promote biodiversity including birds, butterflies, etc. conserve and protect the water bodies and wetland. Don’t throw garbage or let out sewage.

 

For conserving natural resource such as coal, natural gas etc. which are used for power generation, we need to use electricity judiciously. Hence citizens are advised to switch off all electrical appliances and make sure these are unplugged. Replace domestic appliances and electrical equipment with energy-efficient models. Buy 5-star labelled and highest rated products as recommended by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. Shut down your computer rather than just logging off when done.

 

To conserve energy, the family may watch TV together, dine together and spend evenings and holidays with family members and friends in parks, open areas, zoos, national parks and gardens etc. This approach is not only beneficial for health, but also strengthen bonds with the family and also helps save energy at home.

 

To minimize dependence on conventional energy, rooftop solar panels may be installed on residential, industrial, commercial, institutional and government buildings. LED lighting systems may be used instead of tubelights and bulbs.

 

To control pollution of air, avoid using personal transport instead use public transport systems for going to office/markets/other venues. Opt for carpooling with colleagues and neighbours who are going to same destination. For short distance such as to market place use bicycle or walk. Convert your cars to CNG fuel. Service your cars periodically obtain pollution under control certificate every three months and maintain appropriate air pressure in tyres. Use light colored car paints so as to minimize energy on running Air conditioners. Use tele-communication facilities such as phone, internet etc. instead of travelling.

 

In order to spread awareness on environmental issues such as air pollution, water conservation, cruelty to animals, noise pollution etc., organize campaigns at RWAs, Housing society, mohallas, market places through market associations, nuked nataks, film shows, painting competitions, debates etc. Use electronic media such as apps, twitter, facebook, local TV channels, cable operators etc. for spreading awareness.

 

To avoid use of plastics, use cloth bags, paper bags, jute bags for shopping. Segregate plastics at source and sell it to authorized recyclers. Support institutions and establishments such as restaurants, shops, etc., which are using forest products and opting for biodiversity conservation practices.

 

To avoid environmental contamination, collect the electric waste such fridge, cells, computers, laptops, bulbs, wires etc. and sell them to authorized recyclers.

 

To conserve trees, use paper judiciously. Write and print on both side of paper. Avoid printing air ticket, rail ticket, ATM slips etc. and use E-information. Use E-locker instead of photocopying the documents. Use recycled paper.

 

To conserve and protect biodiversity, don’t buy animal products. Report to the authorities if come across any person selling products/trophies such as bones, skulls, teeth, skins etc. of scheduled animals. Don’t throw plastic, waste material in the national parks/ sanctuaries.

 

20. Gift saplings such as tulsi, aloevera and other medicinal plants during functions, birthdays, meetings etc.: to promote green habits.

 

22. Adopt yoga and Ayurveda for healthy lifestyle.

To maintain healthy lifestyle and to conserve energy adopt yoga, maintain vegetarian diet, use ayurevdic products and herbal products for common cold, fever, mosquito repellant, bruises etc. Eat seasonal local vegetable fruits fresh from the market/ farms. Use stairs instead of elevators for reaching to first second level floors.

 

 

 

25. Avoid wastage of food.

To conserve the precious food, cook judiciously based on requirement, avoid wastage of food. Left over which are edible and fresh may be donated to charitable institutions including gaushalas.

 

If you notice polluting vehicles, burning of garbage, dumping of waste etc. report to concerned pollution control authorities, to the State Pollution Control Boards or CPCB (mobile app SAMEER is available on Google Play Store).