We are #GenerationRestoration
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 neighbourhood roads, planted a garden, and created posters to express their commitment to a green environment.
In Karnataka—Yadagiri, Bidar, Raichur, Gulbarga, Davangere, Tumkur, Chamrajnagar, Chitradurga and Bangalore Districts, BREADS’ Don Bosco partners conducted College, 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, Don Bosco Central School Angamaly, Don Bosco Schools Puthupally 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.
Fr. George PS
Executive Director,
BREADS, Bangalore
