Making conservation fun is the focus of Earth Day celebrations this year For the uninitiated,it is Earth Day on April 22,and Delhis British Council has weeklong activities planned,to stress the need for conservation. This time,maybe since little else has worked,the approach to environment issues will be tackled in a fun way. We are constantly telling people what not to do. This year we decided not to get preachy and instead show activities that are fun,and innovative ideas by environment warriors, says Rajesh Sheshadri,senior vice-president of Nat Geo that partners with BCL for Earth Day Week. The celebrations,from April 17 to 22,kick off with an exhibition of 35 photographs from the Nat Geo archives,which include pictures from a documentary Extreme Ice,about the deteriorating state of the Antarctica. The exhibition is on display at the British Council library. A two-day film festival beginning on April 20 called Green Film Festival will showcase documentaries on conservation. The highlight of the week,however,is an eco-fashion show on April 22,by well known designers like Raghavendra Rathore,Rajesh Pratap Singh,Ritu Kumar,and Kakoli Banerjee. I am only using organic fabrics for this show. I think one should promote the concept of eco-fashion as it is easy to sustain,but there is a lack of will, explains Rajesh Pratap,who will be displaying a specially created line for the eco-week. On the same day,exhibitors will put up stalls in the courtyard displaying environment-friendly products up for sale. Delhi-based product designer Paul Sandip,29,who has designed environment-friendly mugs for the Indian Railways,will be setting up his stall here. I will display a collection of 25 home decor products which revive mundane products like egg beaters and dust pans, says Paul. Gulab Singh Johrimal,who runs a nearly 200-year-old business selling natural oils in Chandni Chowk,and Haathi Chaap that sells paper products made from elephant poop will exhibit at the BCL. Since the aim is to build eco consciousness,even the ramp for the fashion shows is environment- friendly. We are using recycled egg trays for the stage back drop and jute cloth on the ramp with bamboo straws along the sides, says Vidyun Singh,director,MADI.
