Shahjahanpur (UP) witnessed a remarkable initiative this year as women tied rakhis to trees on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, transforming the traditional celebration of sibling bonds to address pressing environmental issues. The women, organized through a WhatsApp group named ‘VIP’, took to this creative approach to promote environmental awareness and inspire communities to engage in conservation efforts.
Set against the backdrop of Raksha Bandhan, which underscores the sacred relationship between siblings, this campaign has gained momentum as the festival approached, celebrated on August 18 this year. The participating women have already tied rakhi to around 1,000 trees, replacing the customary sweets with fertilizers and water to symbolize care for their natural counterparts.
Neetu Gupta, the president of the organizing committee, articulated the campaign's purpose, highlighting the importance of connecting individuals with nature to inspire proactive conservation. "We decided to get women to tie rakhis to trees. Since last Thursday, the members of our group have been tying rakhis to trees, applying tilak to them and watering them after mixing fertilizer in the soil as sweets," she remarked.
Gupta emphasized the initiative as not merely symbolic but practical, especially considering the escalating climate crisis. "We thought the best way to protect the environment is to plant trees on a large scale. For this, work was done in mission mode and this year, the target is to plant one lakh trees," she explained.
The Municipal Commissioner of Shahjahanpur, Vipin Kumar Mishra, lauded this innovative effort, calling for it to expand beyond the initial group and become widely adopted as a mass movement. His support aligns with the urgent need for increased environmental responsibility amid rising climate challenges.
By actively engaging the community, members of the WhatsApp group hoped to instill environmental consciousness rooted even within traditional celebrations. This initiative not only cultivates awareness about the need for environmental preservation but also fosters unity and collaboration among the women involved, promoting social bonding through their shared mission.
Participants expressed how this unique celebration has sparked fruitful discussions about sustainability and the need for collective action against climate change. Injecting traditional festivities with contemporary environmental concerns may also inspire similar efforts across other regions, making environmental stewardship more relatable and accessible.
Enthusiasts of environmentally safe practices noted how such initiatives can play a pivotal role in changing perceptions surrounding tree planting and nurturance. By intertwining the age-old custom of Raksha Bandhan with modern ecological urgency, Shahjahanpur is paving the way for innovative approaches to environmental discourse.
Such efforts could serve as models for other communities to explore innovative ways of intertwining cultural practices with environmental action. The hope is for more groups to participate, engage, and cultivate the habit of caring for nature as routinely as they celebrate festivals.
This year’s Raksha Bandhan celebration is shaping up to be more than just family gatherings and good wishes. For the women of Shahjahanpur, it stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of sisterhood — not only between siblings but also with the trees and the environment around them, fostering respect and care for the planet.
Looking forward, the WhatsApp group aims to deepen its commitment to environmental activism beyond the festivities. They plan to continue nurturing the trees they have tied rakhis around, hoping to inspire respect for the flora and the planet’s health.
With the threat of climate change looming large, initiatives like tying rakhis to trees are not just whimsical gestures but potent reminders of communal responsibility. This blend of tradition and environmental activism serves as beacon, calling upon all to participate actively in keeping the earth sustainable for generations to come.
