It is no secret that the environment in Nepal is degrading day by day. Owing to the haphazard urbanisation and industrialisation, almost every environmental problem–be it air pollution or water pollution or deforestation or pesticide pollution or waste and others–is reaching its worst point.
What is more depressing is these environmental issues and their effects are often overlooked by the authority and people of Nepal. But still, you can fix, at least try, to fix these environmental issues and save the environment by bringing a little change into your everyday habits and lifestyles.
Today, let’s make a promise to save Nepal’s environment by adopting the following eco-friendly habits:
1. Carry recyclable bags to shopping stores
Plastic waste is a major environmental issue that not only Nepal but the whole world is dealing with. Although the use of plastic bags is banned in Nepal, there has not been effective implementation of the decision. Therefore, the water resources, landfills, and roads are filled with plastic waste. It is because people excessively use plastic bags and other plastic products such as plastic cutlery and many more on a daily basis. But, you can reduce the amount of plastic waste by carrying a recyclable bag while shopping.
2. Shop wisely
People tend to shop unnecessarily and hoard things, especially clothes, following the trend of fast fashion and contributing to textile waste. Likewise, people often buy packaged grocery items such as rice, lentils, beans, and many more which will eventually add to plastic waste. But, you can reduce this waste by choosing to shop wisely, meaning buying loose (unpackaged) grocery items, carrying a container or recyclable bag, and stopping only for necessary food and clothes.
3. Follow the 3R principle
The best thing you can do to save the environment is to practise the principle of 3 Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) of waste management, or turn to a zero-waste lifestyle. For this, you need to cut down on the waste produced by using only fewer necessary things. The next thing you can do is consider reusing anything by extending their life. Also, it is a must to segregate the waste as degradable and non-degradable waste at the source in order to preserve natural resources and landfill space.
4. Switch to sustainable fashion and thrifting
Sustainable fashion and thrifting can be a great aid to the conservation of the environment, which has been greatly harmed by the fast fashion textile industry. You can maintain a sustainable wardrobe by buying less, only if you need and buying better clothes made from natural and biodegradable fabrics, by switching to thrifting culture, shopping from sustainable brands, borrowing or renting clothes, and many other ways. All this will eventually cut down on the textile waste produced and conserve the environment for a better future.
5. Plant trees around your home
Deforestation is a major environmental problem rampant in the contemporary world. Forests are being destroyed for many ‘development’ projects such as tunnel construction, road construction, and others, inviting a greater environmental crisis. In order to maintain and improve the green cover of Nepal, it is essential that every one of you plant at least a tree around your house and offices.
6. Choose eco-friendly alternatives
There are so many eco-friendly alternatives to almost everything you use on a daily basis. From eco-friendly brushes to cookware and non-toxic chemicals for cleaning purposes, the list is endless. You can use an electric induction stove to cook food instead of LPG gas, use sustainable or biodegradable cutlery instead of plastic cutlery. You can walk or ride a bicycle or use an electric vehicle instead of using combustion engine vehicles, which will reduce carbon emissions and help protect the environment.
7. Preserve water
The level of water pollution is clearly visible nowadays. Water resources are inundated with wastewater, excrement, plastic waste, and whatnot. Likewise, the water sources are also drying up. It is high time you invested your time and energy in conserving the water resources. For this, you need to opt for harvesting rainwater, managing the sewage system, controlling water pollution, making use of wastewater, and many more.
8. Participate in cleanup programmes
Volunteering in any cleanup programme is a direct way of saving the environment. It is an opportunity where you can clean out the garbage and waste directly and contribute to making the surrounding pollution-free and healthy. Promise to participate in cleaning campaigns.
