World Environment Day, held each year on 5 June, marked its 53rd anniversary this week, calling global attention to the themes of land restoration, drought resilience, and the growing need to combat desertification. From Delhi to Melbourne, the day was marked by tree plantings, clean-up campaigns, and pledges to act—some deeply personal.
At the Sri Durga Temple in Rockbank, Melbourne’s west, the Indian Consul General Dr Sushil Kumar joined members of the community for a tree plantation drive. The event was part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, launched last year by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The concept is simple: plant a tree in the name of your mother. The act is symbolic, but the results are measurable. Over 80 crore saplings have reportedly been planted under the initiative across India so far, with Uttar Pradesh alone accounting for nearly a third.
Also present at the Melbourne drive was Gurpreet Gary Verma, JP, Vice President of the temple. Together with community members, they planted trees to honour their mothers and offer something tangible back to the Earth. For many participants, the occasion was both an act of remembrance and a forward-looking gesture—a small investment in the world their children will inherit.
India’s commitment to environmental causes has been evolving. ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ is one of several campaigns operating under the wider umbrella of Mission LiFE, which stands for Lifestyle for Environment. Introduced during COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, the programme pushes for environmentally mindful choices—reduction of waste, rejection of single-use plastics, and preservation of local ecosystems. India has been among the most visible participants in World Environment Day since it began hosting events in 1973 and led the official global event in 2011.
Australia too has embraced World Environment Day, albeit with different emphasis. Local councils, schools, and conservation groups often mark the day with clean-up activities and public talks. Government agencies and NGOs use the platform to highlight the country’s unique biodiversity and the need for water conservation, particularly as drought risks rise. However, Australia’s commitment to reducing emissions and protecting native species continues to draw both support and criticism depending on policy shifts at the federal level.
This year’s theme—restoring land and building resilience—hit close to home for both countries. India has been battling desertification across vast stretches of Rajasthan and other states. Australia, meanwhile, faces recurring droughts and bushfires, with climate patterns predicted to worsen in coming decades. The two nations have held dialogues on climate and energy transition, and there is growing room for cooperation through clean tech, reforestation projects, and shared research.
Grassroots initiatives like the one at Sri Durga Temple go beyond metrics. They quietly knit together environment, culture, and identity. For diasporic communities, especially those juggling dual affiliations, campaigns like these offer a point of connection—to homeland values and to their local communities. A tree in Rockbank planted for a mother in Ranchi or Hyderabad speaks across time and distance.
As climate change accelerates, these small acts can compound into bigger change—one that’s driven as much by memory and care as by policy. It’s a reminder that sustainability needn’t always come from large institutions. Sometimes, it begins with a seed, a spade, and someone thinking of their mum.
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