Mumbai: In a move to bolster participation in the ongoing Ideas4LiFE initiative, Union Environment Minister Sh. Bhupender Yadav announced the extension of the submission deadline from September 15 to October 15 this year. The announcement was made during a special event held at IIT Bombay, organized in collaboration with the Maharashtra Environment Department, aiming to inspire innovative environmental solutions.
Addressing the audience, Sh. Bhupender Yadav highlighted the necessity for developed economies to also embrace developed ecologies, urging a collective effort towards fostering a strong environmental consciousness. “We must all cultivate a strong environmental consciousness as responsible citizens,” stated the Minister, emphasizing the need to balance economic growth with ecological preservation.
The Ideas4LiFE event at IIT Bombay served as a platform to engage students, faculty, and researchers from various academic institutions across Mumbai and beyond. The initiative, part of a broader mission to promote an eco-friendly lifestyle, saw active participation from over 1,200 students, research scholars, and faculty members representing educational institutions under UGC, AICTE, IITs, and others throughout India.
In a symbolic gesture, Sh. Bhupender Yadav planted a sapling at IIT Bombay as part of the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, launched by Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi on June 5, 2024. This act underscored the government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and the importance of individual contributions to the cause.
During his speech, the Union Minister elaborated on the “Ideas4LiFE” theme, stressing the interconnectedness of life, environment, and development. He argued that a human-centric approach to development is inadequate, advocating instead for an ecologically conscious model that considers the well-being of all living beings and the environment. Highlighting the detrimental effects of unchecked development, such as rising temperatures and biodiversity loss, Sh. Yadav emphasized the critical role of nature in sustaining human life by providing essential resources like food, energy, and medicine.
Sh. Yadav also outlined three key actions necessary for sustainable development: transforming consumption patterns, enhancing supply systems, and implementing effective policies. He underscored the importance of preserving at least one-third of the Earth’s surface for biodiversity, noting that around 50,000 species are utilized for human consumption.
The event was attended by notable figures including Tanmay Kumar, Special Secretary of MoEF&CC; Pravin Darade, Principal Secretary (Environment) of the Government of Maharashtra; Amandeep Garg, Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC; Prof. Shireesh B. Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay; and several officers from MoEF&CC and the Maharashtra state government.
The Ideas4LiFE ideathon invites participants to generate solutions under seven key themes: Save Water, Save Energy, Reduce Waste, Reduce E-Waste, Say No to Single-Use Plastics, Adopt Sustainable Food Systems, and Adopt Healthy Lifestyles. The extended deadline aims to provide more time for the academic community to contribute innovative ideas that can drive sustainable development across the nation.