Open house: How can faith-based practices help build a sustainable society? – Tribune India

Report on Sustainable Religious Practices and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1.0 Introduction: Re-evaluating Religious Processions for Sustainable Development

An initiative known as the “Green Nagar Kirtan,” championed by environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal, presents a transformative model for integrating environmental stewardship with religious observance. This report analyzes the environmental and social impacts of traditional religious processions and evaluates the “Green Nagar Kirtan” as a framework for advancing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

2.0 Environmental and Health Impacts of Conventional Processions

Traditional religious processions frequently pose significant challenges to urban sustainability and public health, directly conflicting with established SDG targets. Key issues identified include:

• Air and Noise Pollution: The extensive use of firecrackers and loudspeakers exacerbates air and noise pollution, contributing to alarmingly high Air Quality Index (AQI) levels. This directly undermines SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by posing risks of chronic respiratory and other ailments.
• Urban Disruption: Processions often lead to road blockages and severe traffic congestion, disrupting public life and economic activity. This is contrary to the objectives of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), which aims to create inclusive, safe, and resilient urban environments.
• Waste Generation: The widespread use of single-use plastics and improper disposal of food waste litters public spaces, challenging waste management systems and contradicting the principles of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

3.0 The Green Nagar Kirtan Model: A Catalyst for SDG Achievement

The Green Nagar Kirtan initiative offers a sustainable alternative by embedding eco-friendly practices into religious celebrations. Its core components align strongly with global sustainability targets.

3.1 Promoting Life on Land (SDG 15) and Climate Action (SDG 13)

The central practice of distributing tree saplings as “prasad” (a devotional offering) serves as a powerful tool for environmental action.

1. Afforestation and Biodiversity: This practice directly supports SDG 15 (Life on Land) by encouraging mass plantation, increasing green cover, and promoting biodiversity. The initiative to plant 5,600 saplings exemplifies a community-driven effort to combat deforestation.
2. Climate Change Mitigation: By fostering afforestation, the initiative contributes to carbon sequestration, a critical component of SDG 13 (Climate Action). It replaces environmentally harmful practices like stubble burning and firecracker use with a positive climate solution.

3.2 Fostering Sustainable Communities and Well-being (SDG 11 & SDG 3)

The initiative’s emphasis on zero-pollution events addresses key urban and health challenges.

• Enhancing Public Health: By avoiding firecrackers and loud music, the model promotes cleaner air and quieter environments, directly contributing to the targets of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
• Building Sustainable Communities: Eco-friendly celebrations foster unity and community bonds without the negative externalities of pollution and traffic disruption, thereby supporting the creation of sustainable and inclusive communities as envisioned in SDG 11.

4.0 Recommendations for Scaling and Replication

To institutionalize these practices and maximize their impact on the SDGs, a multi-stakeholder approach is necessary, aligning with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. Policy and Enforcement: Civic authorities must enforce pollution-control laws, including a complete ban on toxic firecrackers, and promote green alternatives like laser light shows.
2. Community and Faith-Based Leadership: Religious and social organizations should replicate the Green Nagar Kirtan model, leveraging their influence to mobilize communities for environmental conservation and awareness.
3. Ensuring Sustainability of Initiatives: Tree-planting drives must be supported by long-term care and planning to ensure the survival of saplings, transforming symbolic gestures into lasting environmental assets. This requires active participation from the community (“sangat”) in nurturing the planted trees.

5.0 Conclusion

The Green Nagar Kirtan initiative demonstrates that religious and cultural events can be powerful platforms for promoting sustainable development. By aligning faith-based practices with environmental responsibility, communities can make substantial contributions to achieving SDG 3, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 13, and SDG 15. Mobilizing faith as a force for environmental protection offers a scalable and impactful pathway toward building a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article connects pollution directly to public health, stating that it is a “major cause of… chronic ailments” and that collective efforts are needed for “public health and safety.” It highlights the negative health impacts of high AQI levels, noise pollution from loudspeakers, and air pollution from firecrackers.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The article addresses urban and community issues such as “major traffic jams” caused by processions, “improper garbage disposal,” and streets being “littered with plastic and food waste.” It also focuses on urban air quality, referencing “alarmingly high” AQI levels. The promotion of “eco-friendly celebrations” and creating a “cleaner, healthier environment” directly relates to making communities more sustainable.

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • The article advocates for sustainable practices during large gatherings, such as “eco-friendly celebrations that avoid plastics.” It criticizes the waste generated, noting “high piles of disposable cups and plates after religious langars,” which points to unsustainable consumption patterns. The initiative promotes a shift towards more responsible and less wasteful events.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • The article explicitly links pollution to “global warming.” It promotes climate mitigation strategies such as reducing emissions from “stubble burning, vehicular emissions,” and “bursting of firecrackers.” Furthermore, the initiative of planting thousands of saplings is a direct action to combat climate change through afforestation.

5. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • This is a central theme of the article. The “Green Nagar Kirtan” initiative, which involves distributing and planting saplings, directly supports afforestation and increasing “green cover.” The article emphasizes the importance of preserving ecological balance and protecting “dharti, paun, pani” (earth, air, and water), which are fundamental to this goal.

6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article highlights the collaborative nature of the environmental initiatives. It describes how religious leaders (Balbir Singh Seechewal), community members (“sangat”), and social organizations are working together. It also calls for “support from government agencies” and for “other religious and social organisations” to replicate the model, emphasizing the need for multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve environmental goals.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 3.9: Substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

   • The article’s focus on reducing air pollution from firecrackers and noise pollution from loudspeakers to protect “public health” and prevent “chronic ailments” directly aligns with this target.

2. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

   • This target is addressed through the article’s concern over “alarmingly high” AQI levels and the problem of streets being “littered with plastic and food waste” after processions. The call for “improper garbage disposal” to be addressed and for cleaner events supports this target.

3. Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

   • The call to “avoid plastics” and the criticism of “high piles of disposable cups and plates” directly relate to reducing waste generation at its source during large public events.

4. Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.

   • The “Green Nagar Kirtan” is described as a campaign that “spreads awareness about environmental issues” and inspires “individuals to adopt green habits.” This initiative serves as a platform for public education on environmental conservation and its link to global warming.

5. Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.

   • The core activity of the initiative, “planting 5,600 saplings,” is a direct contribution to afforestation. The goal is to “increase tree cover in the state,” which perfectly matches the objective of this target.

6. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

   • The article showcases a civil society partnership led by a religious figure and calls for broader collaboration, stating the initiative “deserves support from government agencies” and should be “replicated by other religious organisations.” This embodies the spirit of building multi-sector partnerships for sustainable development.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Air Quality Index (AQI) Levels

   • The article explicitly mentions that “AQI levels remain alarmingly high.” This is a direct, measurable indicator (related to Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter) that can be used to track progress in improving air quality in the regions discussed.

2. Number and Survival Rate of Saplings Planted

   • The article quantifies the effort by stating “planting 5,600 saplings.” It also implicitly suggests an indicator for success by questioning, “can these plants survive?” and stating “their preservation is equally vital.” Therefore, the number of saplings planted and their survival rate are key indicators for measuring progress towards afforestation goals (related to Indicator 15.2.1).

3. Amount of Waste Generated at Events

   • The article implies this indicator by describing streets “littered with plastic and food waste” and “high piles of disposable cups and plates.” A measurable indicator would be the reduction in the volume of waste, particularly single-use plastics, generated during religious and social gatherings (related to Indicator 12.5.1).

4. Level of Public Awareness and Participation

   • The article discusses the need for “mass awareness” and celebrates how the initiative “inspires individuals to adopt green habits.” Progress could be measured through surveys on public environmental awareness or by tracking the number of organizations and individuals adopting similar eco-friendly practices (related to Indicator 13.3.2).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: tribuneindia.com