DO YOU THINK YOUR DASHAIN CAN BE MORE SUSTAINABLE?

 According to Hindu mythology, the Dashain festival is a way of acknowledging triumph over an evil. The festival came to light when goddess Durga won a fight against an evil- spirited demon named ‘Mahisasur’ who spread horror & terror. This is the time for family reunion, exchange of gifts and blessings.

With not much time left for the auspicious festival, people are busy preparing for celebration. But are we really aware about the sustainability? To maintain short term happiness, we are actually creating a long term affects in environment & economy.

 

DASHAIN 2021: Here is how to make this Dashain more sustainable.

a) Low or zero food waste celebration

The world population is shooting up the graph. So every single grain wasted by putting on your forehead or in trash bin is not worth it. According to FAO report (2015), about 759 million people in the world lack access to required amount of food. This means almost one in every eight people on earth goes to bed hungry each night.

b) Sustainable clothing (donate if there is excess)

Donating your unwanted clothes to a good cause, rather than leaving them hanging in your wardrobe will help others. They will invest in your old pieces, rather than buying something new. A great way to do this is to have a one-in, one-out policy i.e. live by the mantra that every time you buy something, you'll donate something. Also you can reuse the stuffs by creating your own DIY. This can reduce your carbon foot print.

c) Low or no intake of meat:

John Hopkins Center for a Livable Future quote “If global trends in meat and dairy intake continue, the global mean temperature rise will more than likely exceed 2°C’’. The slight increase in temperature will melt the polar ice caps, sink the islands, decline the food production and extinct the biodiversity. FAO suggests that the livestock contributes about 18% of greenhouse gases which is higher than a global transportation could produce. So let’s celebrate this Dashain by eating veggies.

d) No to environmental pollution:

Dashain is now cause for pollution. Dashain adds to organic garbage piles that emit foul odor. A large number of animals are sacrificed to the god and their useless carcass is thrown carelessly in the river which is contaminating the local river. Let's manage our waste and protect environment.

       

Show that you care, promote sustainable celebration!!