On this day, dedicated to our environment, Mumbaikars were presented with a myriad of possibilities to give back to the environment for all the gifts that the environment has unconditionally given from the beginning of time. And the people of this city swarmed in great numbers at the chance to do something for the good of their environment.

Few of the activities that were organized included paintings on walls, photo exhibitions, a bicycle rally, and plantation drive. Even the automobile industry offered free Pollution Under Control check-ups for cars. And people participated in each of these activities in great magnitudes.

Cycle2Work launched its 4th “Smart Commute” edition. Cycle2Work is an independent effort taken up by Project Green Mile to inspire Mumbaikars to use cycles to commute to work. The event was held on June 5 from 6.45 am to 9.15 am. The “Cycle2Work” (C2W) project is in an attempt to spread awareness of the environment and the need for a better public transport system. The cyclists were to start from seven pre-designated points and were to converge at the suburban Bandra Kurla Complex, from where everyone would head to their respective offices.

The Orchid hotel celebrated World Environment Day by organising a rally-cum-plantation drive. The rally began from The Orchid hotel at 10.30 am on June 5 and proceeded towards the NP Thakkar Road Garden, Vile Parle. Orchid staff carried placards with environment messages exhorting citizens to take care of Mother Earth. The tree plantation was done at the garden.

Nehru Science Centre organised a photo exhibition, which covered wildlife and nature on the occasion of the World Environment Day. This year’s theme was ‘Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.’ There was also a photography exhibition organized at BNHS called ‘Land of Tiger’, which covered the rich biodiversity of five tiger reserves, that is, Tadoba-Andhari, Pench, Melghat, Navegaon-Nagzira and Bor.

Hinduja hospital, Mahim, will be iinvited children to paint the walls outside the hospital on the June 5, from 9 am to 12 noon, so as encourage them to showcase their ideas on the environment.

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Society for Automotive Fitness & Environment (SAFE) organised PUC check-ups and issued free PUC certificates on June 5 from 11 am to 3 pm at Mahindra Dealership, to protect our environment by maintaining vehicles and minimising pollution.

Mahatma Gandhi very rightly said, “What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another”. Today we see around us the consequences of carelessness displayed in the past and know what can happen if we continue to carry on in a similar fashion.

It is a great relief that we have activities such as these planned to help us take care of our environment. This only shows to say that there is still hope.