Environment-Approach

 

Chemical Free Farming

Another initiative of the Art of Living that is making a profound contribution to the cause of environment sustainability is its campaign to promote and popularise chemical free farming. It has launched awareness programmes to encourage people to return to traditional methods of organic farming and eliminate the use of harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Chemical free farming is seen as the only way to check degradation of soil quality. Excessive use of fertilisers have pensioned the soil, not only reducing yield but also making produce grown on them poisonous for human consumption. Also chemical free farming is complementary to environment sustainability as it reduces the demand on natural resources such as water. Several studies have also shown that natural farming (without fertilizers and pesticides) not only leads to enhanced yield, but also supports healthy lifestyles.

To spread this practice, the Art of Living has trained thousands of farmers in India and abroad. It also runs an internship programme at its Canadian Centre to educate youth about natural farming.

 

Tree Plantation

Do we know a one-stop solution for the following?

Global warming, soil erosion, depletion of soil fertility, reducing the Carbon footprint, bare grey concrete cities, Air pollution, Water pollution, Land pollution, Global warming and the thinning of Ozone Layer, soaring temperatures, weather patterns going haywire.....

It is quite simple: Plant trees.

Trees are an expression of sacred life. They generate oxygen, beautify, provide shade, provide homes, help capture rain water, support bio-diversity and everything else mentioned above. They have been an integral part of every culture and tradition that human kind has evolved. Trees, analogous to being with nature, have been an immense source of peace. Forests are further the homes of so many indigenous species, whose loss would be critical for the balance of the eco-system.

The need for trees is for the benefit of our own future generations. They are indeed guardians of our dear planet. The Art of Living is focused on reviving a green earth and our volunteers around the world strive to make this positive difference by planting and protecting as many indigenous trees as possible.

 

Water Conservation

Water conservation has become the need of the day. It can be defined as efficient management to reduce loss, wastage or use of water. Art of living Foundation has been active on taking this practice to several rural areas in India.

The youth leaders of the foundation have been actively propagating Rain water harvesting in several villages. Rain water harvesting is the best way to store water during the rains and this water is available for use for long periods after the season as well. Art of Living has revived several lakes and ponds. This not only helps hold the water but also increases ground water levels. The natural habitat of birds and other animals also are seen to come back to the water.

 

 

Indigenous Specie Protection

Every plant or animal on this planet adds beauty and value to this creation simply by its presence. They are also part of an elaborate eco-system. Each specie is connected to so many others and the endangering of one affects the entire chain. An endangered specie is a direct indicator of the declining health of that eco-system.

If we lose a specie, the loss is tremendous. Till date, we do not have the ability to create any new specie. The least we can do is to preserve the diversity that nature has given to us. As Human beings, the most evolved beings on the planet, it is our responsibility to help maintain and safe-guard the ecological balance.

Elephants, rhinos and tigers are not the only mammals which face a threat of extinction. There are lesser known ones which need to be conserved through human intervention, the most evolved of all species.

The Art of Living Foundation has taken a step towards that and has been working to revive some indigenous breeds of cows in India. It has also been involved in preserving the wetland species habitat in Lake Herdsman Regional Park, Australia.