Why environment?
The inclusion of ‘Environment’ as one of the target areas of action by Jeeva Jyothi stems from its deep commitment to offer quality life to children. All the actions generated are aimed at building alternatives towards sustainable development.

As custodians of ‘the present’ we have a responsibility to leave behind a clean and safe environment for the children who will inherit ‘the tomorrow’ from us. Many of us are concerned about leaving a good heritage, legacy, property or social standing for our children’s future. What is the use of all these, if the children cannot be assured a safe and better environment?

Industrialization brought with it progress and at the same time it also polluted the environment. Modernization and the latest technological advancements are no better either. Forests are destroyed for wood and to make paper. The whole atmosphere is polluted with toxic substances. The use of polyurethanes and plastics has become widespread. These materials are non-degradable. They emit harmful smoke when burnt with garbage polluting the air and degrades the quality of soil when they get embedded or buried in the soil. The excessive use of chemicals and the effluent waste discharged by companies pollutes water resources. Fertilizers and chemicals used in agricultural production poses health hazards.

The consequences of abusing nature have tremendous impact in the lives of people. The whole ecological balance has been disturbed leading to change in extreme weather conditions, lack of rain, soil erosion, sea erosion and damage to the ‘ozone layer’. When we befriend nature and live in harmony with it, we can harvest benefits to the betterment of humanity. But when it is disturbed, nature’s fury and wrath can never be faced by humanity. This was evident by the ‘tsunami’ disaster in December 2004 which claimed thousands of lives. Wherever there was forest cover or groves of casuarinas and other trees, the speed of the tidal waves was checked and there was no damage to lives or property.

It is in this context; Jeeva Jyothi wants to encourage preservation of nature and environment. The concept of 3 Rs (Reuse, Reduce and Recycle) is advocated in all forums besides practicing them in our day to day activities.

One such venture towards ‘environment concern’ is the Hand Made Paper (HMP) unit of Jeeva Jyothi situated in Kosappur, Thiruvallur district.