Ganga Action Parivar - an organization dedicated to the restoration and protection of Mother Ganga, her tributaries and the environment - in partnership with Allahabad's NGOs, schools, institutions and ministry, is taking up the "Green Kumbha Initiative". This is a first of its kind program, designed to beautify the grounds of Kumbha and its environs, while protecting the health and well-being of festival attendees. In addition, this program will spread awareness and education about the importance of being "green," thus informing and motivating festivals-goers from all over the world to become stewards of the environment around them.
Months before the beginning of Kumbha, Ganga Action Parivar along with local NGOs, schools, institutions and volunteers have been planting, and planning the future planting, of trees and plants throughout the Kumbha grounds and its environs. As these grow, beautiful canopies of greenery will shelter visitors from far and near, fruits will tempt the eye, roots will prevent the erosion of soil, and leaves will offer some 90% of their water back to the environment, adding moisture to the air.
Working in partnership, the Green Kumbha Initiative will provide portable, eco-friendly toilets for free use by festival attendees. In so doing, sanitation will not only be improved, but lakhs of people and the world press will be educated about the importance and viability of ecologically-sound toilet facilities! After the Kumbha has concluded, the toilets will be repurposed for other festivals and pilgrimages in the Rishikesh and Haridwar regions. They will also be utilized for later Kumbha Melas in other municipalities.
Kumbh Mela is rooted in the mythological story of the churning of the ocean, known as Samudra Manthan, conducted by Gods and demons to obtain the nectar of immortality. In this process, the Mandarachal Mountain was used as a churning rod, and the serpent Vasuki served as the rope. Lord Vishnu took the form of a tortoise (Kurma avatar) to provide a stable base for the Mandarachal Mountain.
To cut down on plastic waste which inevitably litters the grounds, we are helping minimize its use by providing filtered water taps and distributing low-cost reusable water bottles.
A progressive outreach campaign is being organized for the entire Kumbha to educate and inspire all on the importance of protecting the environment. The components of this campaign will include outreach through the media, hoardings and posters, videos and films, street plays, gatherings of renowned faith leaders, special music programs and concerts, and nightly Sangam Aartis.
Together we will provide the camps of holy leaders who are participating in our program with 500,000 to 1,000,000 plants and saplings that they can in turn distribute as holy Prasad to their devotees. In this way, the saplings will be constant reminders to the pilgrims of the holy Yatra to the Kumbha Mela, which will in turn increase appreciation for the divine beauty of nature.
Yatris will be given the opportunity to plant their saplings in or near the Kumbha grounds at the Green Kumbha's Smriti Van (Memorial Garden). They may choose to do so to commemorate their pilgrimage, to celebrate an occasion, or to remember a lost loved one. This will help create more green spaces for future Kumbha Melas, as well as inform people and give new knowledge about the environment around them, as well as the importance of keeping It clean and green.
Yatris, partners, and local residents will be encouraged to participate in efforts to "green" the Kumbha. Volunteers will help direct Kumbha attendees to the nearest sanitary facilities, trash receptacles and water taps. They will also provide polluters with information as to how they may dispose of their waste in more sustainable and attractive ways and help educate all on the importance of the environment and living green.
