Every Citizen Should Play the Role of ‘Vasundhara Rakshak’ for Environmental Conservation — Minister Pankaja Munde

Launch of ‘Vasundhara Rakshak Abhiyan’ and ‘Maha-RPET’ Campaign on the Occasion of Earth Day

Mumbai, April 2026 : Against the backdrop of increasing pollution, changing climate, and rapid urbanisation, every citizen should come forward as a ‘Vasundhara Rakshak’ (Protector of the Earth) for environmental conservation, appealed State Environment Minister Pankaja Munde. She expressed her resolve that the concept of ‘Vasundhara Rakshak’ should not remain just an initiative but be transformed into a mass movement.

On the occasion of World Earth Day, at a function organised by the State Government’s Environment and Climate Change Department, Minister Pankaja Munde inaugurated the ‘Vasundhara Rakshak Abhiyan 2026’, ‘Maha-RPET’ campaign, unveiled the website of the State Climate Action Cell, and launched training for the ‘Emission Trading Scheme’. The logo of the ‘Vasundhara Rakshak’ campaign was also unveiled, which was designed by Minister Munde herself.

On this occasion, Chairman of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board Siddhesh Kadam, Secretary of the department Jayashree Bhoj, senior officials of the Coca-Cola company, representatives of various organisations, and students from different colleges were present.

Linking the concept of ‘Vasundhara Rakshak’ with motherhood, Minister Pankaja Munde said that Vasundhara is not just the Earth, but our mother. Protecting her is everyone’s responsibility. With development, industrialisation, and globalisation, pollution is also increasing. Therefore, while adopting a path of balanced development, concrete steps must be taken for environmental protection.

Through the ‘Vasundhara Rakshak’ campaign, ‘Vasundhara Warriors’ will be created across the state like the Mavlas of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This movement should reach every village and every ward. These protectors will fight against pollution. She appealed that every citizen should contribute through actions such as planting trees, segregating waste, and reducing the use of plastic.

She noted that the severity of pollution is not realised unless its impact is directly seen. Observing its effects on people’s health makes the need for change more evident. To help today’s generation understand environmental changes, information and data based on the concept of ‘Yesterday–Today–Tomorrow’ will be provided. While today’s generation is advanced in technology, awareness about the environment is equally important. It is our responsibility to give the next generation not wealth, but clean air and water.

Regarding the ‘Maha-RPET’ campaign, Minister Munde emphasised recycling plastic waste and adopting the principles of ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink’. Reducing unnecessary packaging, reusing materials, and prioritising recycling are the needs of the time. Collecting plastic bottles and ensuring their recycling by producers is both environmentally friendly and economically beneficial. She noted that Maharashtra is the first state in the country to implement such an initiative.

On the ‘Emission Trading Scheme’ for industrial pollution control, she said that similar to carbon trading, this scheme is important for controlling sulphur dioxide emissions. If industries adopt a cooperative approach to reduce emissions, it will boost environmental protection.

‘Vasundhara Rakshak’ WhatsApp community will effectively reach youth — Siddhesh Kadam

MPCB Chairman Siddhesh Kadam said that under the leadership of Minister Pankaja Munde, various innovative initiatives are being implemented in the state, and today’s programme marks their beginning. Initiatives like the ‘Vasundhara Rakshak’ WhatsApp community will help effectively reach environmental messages, especially among youth.

Under the ‘Maha-RPET’ policy, making producers responsible for recycling the plastic they generate is an important step. He said this initiative is unique not only in the country but also globally.

He also expressed pride that the country’s first sulphur dioxide ‘Emission Trading’ scheme is being launched in Maharashtra. Currently, around 100 industries in the state are participating in this platform, and it will be expanded in the future.

He added that data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be used for environmental protection going forward. Along with the administration, producers and citizens must recognise their responsibility and take initiative for environmental conservation.

In her introductory remarks, Secretary Jayashree Bhoj said that World Earth Day is not just about nature but is directly linked to public health, quality of life, sustainable development, and the future of the next generation. The day provides an opportunity to pause, reflect, and strengthen commitment toward a greener and more responsible future.

The ‘Maha-RPET’ campaign is an important step toward strengthening plastic waste management. Through the ‘Vasundhara Rakshak’ initiative, efforts are being made to connect students, youth, women, and citizens with a sustainable lifestyle.

Referring to this year’s theme, ‘Our Power, Our Planet’, she said that the true strength of environmental protection lies not only in policies but in the daily decisions of citizens, institutions, and society.

Launch of Vasundhara Rakshak WhatsApp Community

Under the ‘Vasundhara Rakshak’ campaign, a WhatsApp community has been created to enable citizens to participate. Through a QR code at the event, Minister Pankaja Munde, MPCB Chairman Siddhesh Kadam, and Secretary Jayashree Bhoj joined the community and registered themselves as ‘Vasundhara Rakshak’.

Minister Munde appealed to all citizens to join the campaign through the link and QR code.

The programme was anchored by Sanjay Bhuskute, while Director of the Climate Change Cell Abhijit Ghorpade delivered the welcome address.