The world we live in is being polluted fast. The days of clear air, water and earth are gone. As the population increases rapidly, the levels of pollutions are also increasing at an alarming rate, contaminating the precious resources. Unless we learn to live in an eco-friendly manner, the days ahead are going to be tougher. Therefore, it is necessary for all of us to be aware of the implications of a polluted world and work towards a sustainable development and pollution-free world.

To lead an ecofriendly life, one has to take a number of steps such as using eco-friendly products, minimizing the use of limited resources, planting trees, installing devices for harvesting rainwater, using solar energy, and treating garbage (vermiculture pits). Here, we shall see some of the measures that can make you friendlier to the nature.

Rainwater Harvesting

Ninety percent of the rainwater during the monsoons flows down the sea. Very little water goes to recharge the diminishing ground water levels in your immediate neighbourhood. As a result, we have a severe water shortage all across India, in the summer months. Rainwater harvesting can help tackle this problem. The basic idea in rainwater harvesting is to direct all excess rainwater during the monsoons to a specific area for storage or to recharge the groundwater. For harvesting rainwater, check dams can be built in vast tracts of lands, and in large plots, sinkholes can be made at key spots. The rooftop water harvesting system, used in buildings, involves directing all rooftop rainwater to an underground tank, passing through a simple filter and into the cistern or reservoir. This system is becoming fast popular in various cities in India. Installing rainwater-harvesting systems is also being made compulsory for the new properties in some cities. The cost of creating such systems is not much. A society with 6 flats may need around Rs. 20,000-30,000 for installing the rainwater harvesting system.

Solar Water Heating Systems

Solar water heating systems are also part of ecofriendly living. In tropical countries like India, where sunshine is abundantly available, solar water heating systems can help save a lot of resource. They are cost-effective and can slash your electric bills. The only requirement for installing this system is that you need to have enough sunshine around your house. The system consists of a collector, which collects the solar energy, an insulated tank and insulated pipes for distributing the heated water. The system can cost anywhere between Rs. 30,000 to 2 lakh or more depending upon the size, features etc. Some state governments also give subsidy for installing solar water heating systems.

Gobar Gas Units

Gobar gas is also another ecofriendly energy source. Gobar gas units convert cow dung and human excreta into biogas. This gas is used for cooking and lighting. The gobar gas unit can be established in farmhouses or households with cattle or buffalos. Such units are common in rural areas. Also low-water consuming toilets can be attached to this unit. The wastes from these units can be for gardening.

Garbage Disposal and Vermiculture

Disposal of untreated garbage causes a lot of damage to the ecosystem. When discarded in a large quantity, it puts additional burden on the local authorities, which have to collect, transport and treat it. The easiest way to reduce the garbage created is to reduce the inflow and outflow of articles from your house. This requires avoiding accumulation of unnecessary articles (plastic bags, etc.) and reusing articles.

The simplest way to treat degradable garbage is to create vermiculture pits. ‘Vermiculture’ means farming of earthworms, which help decompose the biodegradable wastes. Earthworms eat organic wastes and promote bacterial growth. This improves soil structure and quickens the decomposition. The resultant compost can be used in gardening as fertilizers. The earthworms, which feed on the surface, are used for this purpose. Earthworms like Tiger worms, gGarlic worm, Manure worm and Red wiggler are used for this purpose. For vermiculture, a pit of suitable side, a vermibed of loamy soil above sand and brickbats, worms suitable for the soil. The cost of establishing vermiculture pits is minimal. The cost ranges from a few hundreds to a few thousands rupees.

In the vermiculture pits, one should not dump inorganic wastes like glass, which harm the earthworms. The garbage generated from the house needs to be separated into plastic, glass and degradable wet waste. Unfortunately we do not have a system to collect, process and recycle different kinds of garbage and trash properly.

Gardens and Tree Planting

Trees and gardens in the surroundings of the houses help maintain a better environment, besides increasing the beauty. If you have vermiculture pits the compost generated can support the gardening activities. The used water from your home can also be used for gardening.