Personal Journey & Inspiration
After I graduated from Assam, I went to Haridwar, Uttrakhand to pursue my MSc degree where I got inspiration from my university professors during the lecture and laboratory practical time they used to tell and guide us that we should go out and explore i.e. on field visit and understand the on ground practical problems or conditions and also try to explore the technical or scientific solution along with mass awareness for environmental conservation. During our university days, we used to visit the banks of the River Ganga at Har Ki Pauri and other Ghats in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, for public awareness drives and to interact with visitors and devotees on overall cleanliness, sanitation, and hygiene. I pursued my higher studies in different states and universities across India, gaining experience and learning that also inspired me to contribute to my nation and the environment.
How did your early life shape your concern for nature and sustainability?
From childhood, I have been connected closely to nature and various social initiatives.
I used to participate in various extracurricular activities alongside my studies, which gave me valuable life experiences. Then, during my higher education, I was motivated by my teachers and professors to contribute something to nature and our country, alongside the regular subject curriculum. All of these together supported and motivated me, and finally, my subject-domain knowledge and experience helped me further develop this area.
Brief about Voice of Environment (VoE)
A group of university students began to organize activities like public awareness camps and discussions among pilgrim groups and other citizens to spread awareness regarding environmental conservation, especially for the holy river Ganga, during the Khumb Mela event at Haridwar, Uttrakhand, India in the year 2010. Later, this group extended their work to spread such awareness more significantly and elsewhere by using social media and other means. Gradually, this mission aspires to expand its reach to global environmental conservation and protection programs. Voice of Environment (A Scientific and Environmental Research Organization) VoE, was officially registered on 30th October 2014, under the Indian Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860 in Guwahati, Assam, India. Voice of Environment is a non-governmental environmental organization dedicated to nature safeguarding, environmental research, and human welfare.
What is the vision and mission behind Voice of Environment?
The Voice of Environment (VoE) organization is dedicated to the environment and people, advancing the overall development of citizens in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).To ensure better cleanliness, health, and sanitation for all citizens to lead meaningful and healthy lives. Work to conserve biodiversity, raise awareness, promote environmental education, and support sustainable natural resource use, etc. To promote Research and Development for better Environmental Management, in support of a better, sustainable, and clean future for all.
What are the key areas your organization focuses on (e.g., waste management, biodiversity, awareness)?
Voice of Environment has been diligently working to promote environmental awareness, education, and research. Currently, the organization is working on various sustainable initiatives, such as cleanliness drives, plantation drives, and mass awareness programs at community schools and college levels, including workshops and seminars, on a time-to-time basis. VoE is focusing on addressing plastic pollution, waste management, and promoting circular-economy principles through recycling, reducing, and reusing. In recent days, VoE has been working on additional research on waste management, wastewater, environmental pollution, pollution control, plastic pollution, sustainability, and climate change. VoE team members have published numerous high-impact research papers in leading international journals and books worldwide.
What are some of the most impactful projects you have undertaken in Guwahati?
School-to-school environmental awareness program for better understanding of environment education, which has been later extended to college level, clean eco-friendly and plastic-free heritage iconic sites initiatives for Kamakhya Temple, Basistha Temple, and Umananda Temple/Island, research initiatives on Chandubi wetland and Son beel wetland for Ramsar site potential and recognition related highlights are the significant works by Voice of Environment. The VoE team member also conducted significant research on the carbon pool in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Panidehing bird sanctuary and on climate change-related research in Guwahati city over the last 50 years. These are unique research studies in the state, the country, and the world.
How has your organisation contributed to solving environmental issues like pollution and deforestation?
VoE has, over time, highlighted and educated youths, students, researchers, and the community about the importance of the environment through its various initiatives. Team VoE has initiated numerous cleanliness campaigns, research studies, seminars, workshops, educational programs, and plantation drives over the past decade across Assam and other states of India.
Can you share a success story where your efforts brought visible change?
Over the last decade, we have witnessed many changes in cleanliness and hygiene on the premises of the Kamakhya Temple, Umananda Temple, and Basistha Temple. Sensitization to environmental sustainability also increased among people. We can also see positive developments in the Chandubi and Son Beel wetland areas. Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati, Assam, has been selected as the second runner-up in the Swachh Iconic Place Phase-I under the Swachh Bharat Mission Initiative (Clean India). The Award was presented at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday, September 6, 2019, by His Excellency, the President of India. The Doloi Kamakhya Temple has received the award. The VoE team began its mission initiative to create a clean, eco-friendly Kamakhya temple premises in December 2016.
How do you involve local communities, especially youth, in your initiatives?
Local communities, especially youth, are connecting with VoE through its environmental initiatives, which are based on participatory, awareness-driven, and skills-oriented approaches. VoE has been working at the local level on people-connecting initiatives that are not only environmental causes but also directly or indirectly related to livelihood generation, sustainability, and a holistic approach. The initiatives directly promote or highlight the state’s heritage and cultural aspects at the national or global level. Effective engagement not only increases environmental responsibility but also creates long-term community ownership of sustainability programs. Through initiatives such as workshops, seminars, school campaigns, street plays, eco-club activities, and social media awareness drives, VoE is helping youths and local communities to understand issues such as climate change, waste management, circular economy, biodiversity conservation, plastic pollution, cleanliness, sanitation, hygiene, and water conservation. Such activities together build a sense of responsibility with leadership, with the motto that together we can make a difference. The environment and nature are for all, and we all should work together for a better tomorrow.
What are the biggest environmental challenges facing Guwahati today?
Urban flooding has become one of the most visible environmental crises in Guwahati city today, driven by irregular and heavy rainfall, clogged drains, water flow from hill areas, and construction activities. We need more green areas or zones in Guwahati city, as rising overall temperatures are also a serious concern for the coming years due to climate change and global warming.
What obstacles have you faced while running your organisation?
In the early days, it was very difficult to conduct drives or initiatives anywhere because of a small team, and to create impact, it required long-term, high-effort initiatives. For that, it needs time, dedication, human resources, logistical support, and financial support, which was very challenging during the initial days. Still, eventually, we got motivated and overcame all these challenges with the keep-trying motivation attitude, as we were very fortunate to receive strong support from local communities, the local administration, youths, and various stakeholders for our initiative. To date, we have been trying to contribute more significantly and look forward to receiving greater support and cooperation from all.
What achievements of yours are you most proud of?
We always tried our best, and are still trying our best, to contribute to the environment and people with our limited resources or human resources. We are very happy that all the initiatives we have tried to highlight or are working on are yielding some positive results. Our main aim is to support the environment and people through our initiatives, whether ground initiatives or research innovations.
Have you received any awards or recognition for your work?
Yes, I have received some appreciation and felicitations from various organizations, which have motivated me to work and contribute more to the environment, people, my state, and my country. For me, blessings and support from people are the biggest awards or recognition, and I am always grateful for their support and blessings. I will continue my work for people and the environment.
How do you measure the success of your environmental initiatives?
We tried to contribute and highlight the major environmental causes that are significant to the state and region.
What are your future plans for Voice of Environment?
To work on the next level on environmental initiatives, research, and educational aspects
What changes would you like to see in Guwahati over the next 10 years?
Over the next 10 years, I hope to see Guwahati city evolve into a cleaner, greener, climate-resilient, better-planned city.
What message would you like to give to the younger generation like you?
The younger generation has the power to shape the future not only of Guwahati city or Assam state, but also for our mother earth. Our youth should be responsible and take the lead in nation-building initiatives. Young people should stay informed about environmental awareness, adopt sustainable lifestyles, reduce waste and plastic use, respect nature and local ecosystems, use technology and innovation responsibly, and actively participate in community and environmental initiatives. Together we can make a difference.
