Feel for it

By Ayesha Inoon

Nature offers simple pleasures. The touch of cool grass or warm sand on your bare feet, the melody of birdsong, the colourful butterflies that drink nectar from the flowers in your garden. It is those who have enjoyed these pleasures and therefore love nature, who will want to protect it, says Kanchana Weerakoon Ranasinghe, ornithologist and Founder-President of Eco Friendly Volunteers or Eco-V – an organisation that works towards creating an environmentally friendly nation.

“It is not just about creating awareness – anyone can be academically aware,” she says. “It is more an attitudinal change. A conservationist has to change within himself to care for the environment.” When she started Eco-V in 2001, her aim was to encourage environmental friendliness by communicating with people on a personal level – encouraging them to be conscious of nature around them and offering practical suggestions on conservation.

Eco-V, which has 400 voluntary members, has conducted several projects and workshops on environmental affairs. They are involved in the conservation of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and contributed towards the banning of polythene in that area. Eco-V is also conducting an island-wide project on the protection of Pelicans – a globally threatened species that breeds only in Sri Lanka, India and Cambodia.

What you can do

Protecting the environment does not have to mean getting involved in big projects, says Kanchana. It can start with simple steps that you can take at home:

• Garbage: Reduce, re-use and recycle

The first step is to reduce the amount of garbage that you generate. When buying foodstuffs, buy only the amount that you need so that there is no waste. Avoid bringing home boxes and bags that are not really necessary. Carry a cloth bag with you at all times for shopping. At home, separate your garbage into three bins – one for paper, one for plastic and for organic matter. At the end of the day, put the organic matter into a compost bin – a must for every home. At the very least, put your garbage in a paper bag or fertiliser sack rather than polythene bags, she stresses, thereby making it biodegradable. Paper, plastic and glass can always be given for recycling.

• Saving energy and water

Switch to CFL light bulbs. Not only will they reduce your electricity bills, but also contribute to conservation by consuming less energy and saving hydropower. When cooking with gas, see that the flame of the burner does not rise to cover the pan. Defrost fridges and freezers regularly to keep them running efficiently. Wait until you have a full load before using your washing machine. Switch to solar power and harvest rainwater, if you can afford it. Don’t leave the tap running unnecessarily, such as while brushing your teeth. Fix a leaking tap as soon as possible.

• Say no to Polythene

Polythene is non-biodegradable and pollutes the soil, contributes to flooding of rivers and when burned, causes air pollution. Either re-use the polythene bags that you have, or use cloth, jute or paper bags for your shopping.

• Protecting the animals

Say no to animal products – leather bags, belts and straps, ivory, pearls and coral jewelry. Remember that animals, perhaps those already endangered, have been killed to create these objects. When buying cosmetics, look for the label which says, ‘Not tested on animals’. Do not keep birds, squirrels or other small animals as pets in cages.

• Plant something

Plant something in your garden that will attract birds and insects, such as a hibiscus plant. Even a small chillie plant on your windowsill will provide oxygen for your home and chillies for your cooking, points out Kanchana.

• Excursions

On picnics and other outings, respect the environment. Don’t disturb the peace of quiet places with loud music and drinking. Collect the litter after a meal instead of leaving it there. Leave nothing but your footprints, take away nothing but your memories. Although we may not be able to do all these things, even a single step will go a long way, says Kanchana.