This year, World Environment Day (WED) on 5 June, drew our attention to the issues
of land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience. As the generation that
inherits a host of environmental problems, it is critical that we, and especially young
people, grasp the importance of restoring and preserving the land, soil, and water
sources. Our futures depend on our actions.
BREADS, its Don Bosco partners, the young and old, gathered in various places in
Karnataka and Kerala, to initiate awareness and change in their environments.
BREADS produced a short video to promote sensitivity to the environment in various
forums. BREADS’ DB BEST Academy in Bangalore, conscientised its students
through activities. The trainees cleaned up the premises, planted a garden, and
created posters to express their commitment to a green environment.
In Karnataka—Yadagiri, Davanagere and Chitradurga, BREADS’ Don Bosco
partners conducted school and community awareness programmes on the
preservation of the environment and planted saplings in their localities to increase
green cover and protect the soil. In Hospet, all the school children received saplings
to plant and nurture at home.
In Kerala, BREADS’ Drug Rehabilitation Education and Mentoring (DREAM) teams
observed WED in their districts. In Kasargod, while planting trees and encouraging
afforestation, the team emphasised the connection between drug-free and
sustainable, evergreen lives. In Wayanad, the DREAM team collaborated with
environmental activists and colleges to plant trees, spread the message of
environment conservation and a drug-free lifestyle. In Kollam, the DREAM team
planted saplings as well. In Kozhikode, in collaboration with Don Bosco ITI, students
actively participated in tree planting, highlighting the need for collective effort in
creating a greener and healthier planet. In Alappuzha, partnering with the St.
Maximillian Kolbe Church, the community reflected on our ethical duty to protect the
environment for future generations and planted a tree to symbolise their commitment
to an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Reflecting their commitment towards collective environmental stewardship, Don
Bosco College, Thrissur together with the local Municipal Councillor and NREGA
workers, revitalised the Chettiyarkulam (lake) area through a cleanup and tree-
planting. They gifted fruit tree saplings to local households while also planting more
trees on the college campus. DB HS School, Mannuthy educated its students about
the extinction of species, gifted saplings and seed balls to the teachers and students,
who also pledged to care for the environment.
These WED initiatives were endeavours to nurture generations of young people who
understand and treat the Earth with appreciation and respect. Because they are #GenerationRestoration and the Earth’s future depends on them.