The 5^th of June is unlike any other date on the calendar; it is, in fact, a day when the world comes together as a united front to celebrate the World Environment Day. The theme for World Environment Day 2017 is “Connecting People To Nature”, which implores mankind to go back to the roots and appreciate the fact that all human beings are a crucial part of the ecosystems that surround us. This is a day to head outdoors and celebrate the beauty of nature and to pledge to preserve the environment at all costs. Furthermore, this year’s theme encourages us to think about how each individual is an inseparable component of nature and closely depends on it for his or her existence. This World Environment Day celebration is, therefore, a chance to come up with fun ways to experience and enjoy this symbiotic relationship.

Agritourism is one such way to connect with nature by venturing into the farms of rural India. Untouched by the perils of urbanization, these rustic locations act as a reminder that it is the bounty of the soil that feeds us. These agritourism destinations celebrate and showcase the traditional methods of living that allowed our ancestors to partake of the gifts of nature without exploiting it. In this day and age of industrial expansion and modernization, it is extremely important to understand and inculcate such Eco-friendly practices in our daily routines. You can spend a day with the farmers who toil in the fields for months to ensure that our kitchens stay well-stocked. This World Environment Day, take a pledge to support these local farmers that rely on environment-friendly techniques for the growth of indigenous crops.

Another simple way to realize and appreciate the resemblance between human beings and other aspects of nature is to follow a sapling on its journey towards becoming a mighty tree. Plant one seed in the soil and dedicate some time each day for tending to it. You will come to understand that just like a human baby, a plant needs utmost attention and care during its early years. They require carefully measured amounts of sunlight, water, and nutrients, and any negligence in this regard can destroy them completely. If nurturing a plant requires as much effort as raising an infant then why are we significantly less hesitant in cutting down a tree than in taking a human life? This exercise of protecting just one plant for its lifetime will make you more sensitive towards the usage of paper-based products. It is high time that we all start using recycled paper and switch to paper-free offices, after all, there is a life associated with every printout that you take.

Living in the concrete jungles of the cities can make you forget that you are a part of a natural ecosystem. Head out to the woods or the hills in your vicinity for a trip to the heart of nature. The sheer grandeur of the landscape will thrill your spirit and will give birth to a passion for protecting these surreal vistas of our planet. The World Environment Day celebration will be fruitful only if it is successful in kindling an undying love for nature, and it should not be treated as a solitary event for talking about environmental preservation just once every year. Make this day the start of a lifelong endeavor to constantly improve the planet’s health and beauty. Embracing the fact that you are an integral part of Mother Earth’s family is the first step in restoring her former glory.