Environment Minister Pankaja Munde Leads from the Front for Environmental Protection; Launches Public Movement with Powai Lake Clean-up Drive

Statewide ‘Save the Environment, Adorn the Earth’ Campaign Flagged Off in Mumbai on World Earth Day

Mumbai : Emphasizing the importance of environmental conservation for protecting our surroundings, Maharashtra’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Pankaja Munde, urged collective public participation to safeguard the planet. She stressed that environmental protection must become a shared responsibility and duty.

On the occasion of World Earth Day, a grand launch event of the Powai Lake Cleanliness and Conservation Campaign was organized at Ganesh Ghat, Powai. The initiative was undertaken by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and several social organizations involved in environmental causes.

The event was attended by MPCB Chairman Siddhesh Kadam, MLA Dilip Lande, Environment Department Secretary Jayshree Bhoj, MPCB Member Secretary Dr. Avinash Dhakne, and BMC Deputy Commissioner Santosh Daud, among others.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Pankaja Munde highlighted the need to link rights with responsibilities in the context of environmental conservation. She stated, “Nature has given abundantly to humanity, but due to human greed, nature has suffered. Public participation is vital along with government initiatives for conservation. If we all work together, Maharashtra will certainly become pollution-free.”

Drawing a parallel to the worship of Goddess during Navratri, she added, “Just as we worship the goddess, we must worship and protect our Earth. We must come together to save our planet.”

A Mass Movement for Nature Conservation

Munde noted that past initiatives like Jalyukt Shivar and Lake Majhi BhagyaShree received enthusiastic public support, helping combat water scarcity in rural areas. Building on that experience, the Environment Department aims to initiate a people-centric environmental movement. The Powai Lake clean-up marks the beginning of this drive, and she expressed confidence that growing citizen participation would be its biggest strength.

Launch of ‘Save the Environment, Adorn the Earth’ Campaign

The state-level campaign ‘Save the Environment, Adorn the Earth’ was launched during the event and will run for nine days from April 22 to May 1. As part of the launch, a Powai Lake cleaning drive was held, and Pankaja Munde planted a sapling of Tamhhan, the state’s official flowering tree.

Under this initiative, environmental conservation activities will be conducted across the state – from gram panchayats to municipal corporations. The campaign aims to remind citizens of their responsibility toward protecting the Earth and to involve them actively in environmental efforts.

Minister Munde urged citizens to take a pledge for at least one of the five elements – Earth, Water, Air, Fire, or Space – and contribute meaningfully. Local governing bodies are encouraged to lead cleanliness drives for natural water bodies, hold school and college competitions based on reduce, reuse, recycle principles, organize slogan contests like “Save the Environment, Adorn the Earth,” and conduct district-level award ceremonies on Maharashtra Day (May 1), led by respective guardian ministers.

MPCB Chairman Siddhesh Kadam stated that efforts are being made to involve more youth in the conservation movement through direct engagement.

MLA Dilip Lande appreciated the initiative, saying the Powai Lake clean-up addresses a key need of the local community.

MPCB Member Secretary Dr. Avinash Dhakne acknowledged the initiative of environmental NGOs, noting their proactive role in driving the program forward.

Representatives from various organizations such as Vanashakti, Nisarg Sansthan, Helping Hands, Paryavaran Dakshata Manch, Burhani Foundation, and the National Service Scheme participated actively in the event.