Sri Vijaya Puram, April 22: From the fertile fields of Rangat and Ferrargunj to the lush hilltops of Munda Pahad, Earth Day 2025 became a vibrant, ground-up celebration of sustainability and environmental consciousness across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Guided by this year’s global theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” events across the region brought together farmers, students, officials, and villagers in a shared call to protect the Earth through education, action, and traditional wisdom.
Cultivating Change in Rangat
In Adazig village, the Zonal Agriculture Office, Rangat, hosted an Earth Day awareness programme focused on Natural Farming – a cornerstone of India’s sustainable agriculture push. The event, held at the Community Hall, gathered farmers from the Sundergarh Gram Panchayat, a region identified under the government’s Natural Farming initiative.
The programme opened with Sarla Krishnan, Pradhan of Sundergarh, who urged farmers to view sustainability not just as an environmental issue but as a personal one.
“These sessions are vital to connect environmental preservation with human well-being,” she said, calling on villagers to integrate ecological thinking into their daily lives.
Vijay Mondal, Up-Pramukh of Adazig, echoed her views.
“Our planet is not a resource, it is a living system. Protecting it is no longer optional,” he stressed.
Shirly Thomas, Joint Director (Agriculture), welcomed participants and outlined the programme’s goals, especially the need to raise awareness about the growing threats to the environment and the agricultural sector.
In the technical session, Agriculture Officer Kanhaya Lal Prasad provided detailed explanations of Natural Farming practices. He introduced farmers to methods like Jeevamrutha and Beejamrutha, bio-nutrient formulations that could replace harmful synthetic chemicals.
Representatives from the Block Development Office and the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS) Department also contributed. They focused on the broader picture, talking about the environmental damage caused by plastic waste and the importance of sustainable livestock management.
Farmers were urged to see Natural Farming as more than a green buzzword. Rather, it was presented as a practical solution that restores soil fertility, improves health outcomes, and ensures economic sustainability, especially for small and marginal farmers.
Ferrargunj Joins the Movement
Meanwhile, in Ferrargunj, a similar commitment to nature-friendly agriculture was on full display. At the Panchayat Hall, the Department of Agriculture organized a day-long Natural Farming awareness event that brought together farmers, local leaders, and agriculture experts.
Zilla Parishad Member Abdul Bashir inaugurated the programme, urging a shift towards eco-conscious farming.
“We must reduce our dependence on synthetic inputs if we are to secure the future,” he said.
Sunil Kumar, Pradhan of the Gram Panchayat, noted that local-level interventions like this are essential.
“We are proud to lead the change through education and awareness,” he affirmed.
One of the key highlights of the Ferrargunj event was the distribution of Soil Health Cards, which help farmers understand their soil’s nutrient profile and tailor input usage accordingly. This small step, officials noted, could lead to big improvements in crop quality and environmental impact.
Assistant Director of Agriculture, Navasakti, conducted a technical session on the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). He laid out the policy framework and financial support available to farmers who make the switch.
Dr. Shahana Begum and Ravi Ch. Sutherdhar further enriched the day with demonstrations on preparing natural inputs. Farmers watched closely as they explained how bio-solutions made from cow dung, urine, jaggery, and other organic materials could replace chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
The workshop ended on a high note, with several farmers pledging to implement these techniques in their fields during the upcoming sowing season.
Trekking into Tomorrow in Sri Vijaya Puram
While farmers were engaging with the soil, the youth of Andaman were scaling heights – literally. In Sri Vijaya Puram, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), A&N Administration, Dollygunj, marked Earth Day with a nature trek for students from Govt. Senior Secondary School, Bathubasti.
Eighty-one students took part in the trek, which began at Munda Pahad Beach and wound its way up to the hilltop. As they walked through the coastal forests, the students learned about the island’s unique biodiversity and the urgent need to protect it.
At the summit, DST Librarian V. Satyanarayana led an interactive session on ecology and climate change.
“There’s no better way to understand Earth’s importance than walking through its natural beauty,” he told the group, initiating discussions on lifestyle changes and individual responsibility in the face of global warming.
Students shared personal reflections, many admitting that the trek had changed how they viewed the environment. For some, it was their first direct encounter with the region’s rich flora and fauna. For others, it was a moment to realize the role they could play in conserving it.
The trek wasn’t just a hike, it was a classroom without walls, a lesson in living ecology, and a spark to ignite long-term environmental stewardship among the youth.
One Earth, Many Voices
Whether in the panchayat halls of Ferrargunj and Rangat or the hill trails of Sri Vijaya Puram, Earth Day 2025 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands struck a common chord: sustainability is not a distant dream, it is a local duty.
Each event, though unique in format, carried the same message. Officials highlighted government schemes and scientific practices, while communities brought them to life with energy and commitment. From soil health cards to natural farming demos to student treks, the islanders celebrated Earth Day not through ceremonies, but through action.
Most importantly, the people who participated, farmers, students, teachers, officers, left with a stronger connection to the land they call home.
This Earth Day proved that meaningful change begins at the grassroots. In the Andaman Islands, that change is already in motion, one farm, one child, one village at a time.
