The Update India caught up with her during this journey and here are a few excerpts from our conversation with Manya Harsha
What inspired you to become an environmentalist and initiate impactful projects at such a young age?
Manya Harsha – Two pivotal factors ignited my journey into environmentalism: the profound influence of my late grandmother, V Rudramma, and a childhood shaped by constant travel. From her, I imbibed the essence of nature through inspiring tales, witnessing her simple yet impactful acts like planting, watering, and maintaining cleanliness. My parents’ love for travel exposed me to contrasting facets of nature – the lush greenery, vibrant skies, and lively ecosystems, alongside the harsh realities of pollution, drought, and famine.
These experiences fueled my passion, inspiring numerous nature-themed poems and stories that have now found a place in published books. A transformative moment occurred during my travels to Rajasthan villages, unveiling the harsh water crisis faced by communities. Witnessing their struggles motivated me to use my voice to educate and raise awareness about water scarcity and the urgent need for climate action.
Can you share some memorable moments from your 18-day road trip from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and how it shaped your perspective on environmental issues?
Manya Harsha– Embarking on my third All India Trip, spanning 18 days and covering a remarkable 7800 kilometres from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, offered profound insights into diverse landscapes.
The scanty snowfall during Kashmir’s coldest winter today serves as a poignant example of climate change and a climate emergency. Tourists, drawn to this paradise to witness the snow-capped white mountains, find themselves deprived of the expected winter wonderland this year. The northern mountains, too, face a deficit in snowfall, underscoring the impact of climate change. In December 2023, as tourists flocked to Sissu and Sethan to witness snow, heaps of litter were found in these small villages.
It is imperative that we, as responsible travellers, commit to climate action in the face of these environmental challenges.
While my appreciation for nature deepened, a pressing concern emerged on the National Highway connecting these two points. Stray cattle, particularly in UP, MP, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh, pose a significant risk for highway accidents, exacerbated during winters with fog. Witnessing these animals grazing on plastic along the roadside prompted me to voice my concerns through my Environment magazine, Sunshine, and on social media. Despite these efforts, the issue persists, necessitating government action, including increasing Gaushalas and addressing the abandonment of ageing cows.
Engaging in the “Throw and Grow” Campaign, I distributed over 2000 seed balls containing various seeds, aiming to foster green spaces. Wildlife conservation, particularly for Asiatic tigers, remains a paramount cause, leading me to organize a Save Tiger campaign during my visit to the Pench Tiger Reserve. As a dedicated advocate for sustainable travel, I initiated impactful projects during my road trip, addressing stray animal concerns, promoting environmental growth, advocating for tiger conservation, and emphasizing the need for responsible travel practices.
“Voice for the VOICELESS, #straylifematters” is a powerful campaign. How did you come up with this idea, and what impact do you hope it will have on animal welfare?
Manya Harsha – The “Voice for Voiceless – Justice for Stray Cattle” campaign by Sunshine Children for Change was launched in 2023. Did you know that over 900 deaths have occurred due to accidents caused by cattle in Haryana in the past 5 years? In these accidents, 919 people lost their lives, and 3,017 sustained injuries. There are more than 5 million stray cattle roaming the streets of India.
Instances of cattle accidents have increased in India in recent days. I demand the government to enforce strict laws and safety measures to safeguard stray cattle. During our travel on highways, we have witnessed many instances of animal accidents. The number of cattle accidents has increased in India recently. On our recent travel from Kashmir to Kanyakumari road trip in 2023, we witnessed several carcasses of cows and dogs hit on the highway. Also, a number of cows were left grazing unattended on the National Highway. It’s high time we as humans realize that stray cattle life matters! They aren’t creatures who can be left on the road to die hit by vehicles just because they are voiceless.
In a similar incident in 2021 during our visit to Kalasa, we encountered cattle on the road. The cattle suddenly came to the middle of the road from nowhere. Thankfully, with sudden breaks, we could stop the mishap. But there are times on highways where sudden breaks do not work!
I demand the government to enforce proper laws and safety measures to safeguard the lives of stray animals and stray cattle. During our travel across several parts of India, we have come across stray cattle being hit by vehicles on the road. A very sad sight often during highway travels. The corpse at times is left open on the highway for days to decay. Not just the cattle, but even stray animals and wildlife are going through similar instances.
People who own these cows often leave them on roads to graze, and many shew them out from their shed once these animals grow old and are of no use to the owners. A number of stray cattle are often found on the highways. The number of accidents has also increased. It’s time animal activists raise their voice for strict law enforcement for the safety of stray cattle.
GAUSHALA, A NEED FOR STRAY CATTLE:
At present, there are above 5000 gaushalas in India, out of which 1837 are recognized under the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). AWBI is the statutory body of the ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act’ 1960 (PCA). Pathmeda Godham is the largest Gaushala in India with over 85,000 cows being sheltered in the small town of Pathmeda in southern Rajasthan. But still, there are more than 5 million stray cattle roaming the streets of India.
There is a quick need to address this problem. Through the forum, I demand immediate action for saving innocent lives from cattle accidents. We need to understand that both cattle and human lives are at risk in these road accidents.
Tossing over 2000 seed balls across 12 states is incredible. How do you envision these seeds contributing to a greener and more sustainable planet?
Manya Harsha – Seed bombing, an eco-friendly reforestation method, utilizes compost and clay balls to encase seeds. These seed bombs are strategically scattered in areas requiring vegetation restoration, like degraded landscapes or urban lots. As the seed bombs disintegrate, they create a protective environment for seeds to germinate and promote biodiversity.
Embracing the “Throw and Grow” Campaign , I actively advocate for seed bombing, distributing thousands of seed balls during my 2023 Kashmir to Kanyakumari road trip, covering 12 states and contributing to the greening of diverse natural settings.
I believe by engaging in this simple yet impactful activity, children become ambassadors for a greener and more sustainable Sunshine children for change campaign that believes in the youth of the country. Hence we always emphasize on involving children in spreading environmentalism.
Looking ahead, Twenty years from now,let’s together paint our Earth green. Go Green is the only Vitamin to boost up the lost space. Friends, Initiative to paint the Earth green starts at one’s self. I feel proud to be a part of the “THROW AND GROW” Campaign.
Your recent mission to the Pench Tiger Reserve highlighted wildlife conservation. What specific actions do you believe individuals, especially the youth, can take to contribute to this cause?
Manya Harsha – Tiger is our National animal. The tiger is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.The Tiger Population in India 2023 is 3,167. The total number of tigers in India has seen a remarkable increase of 200, surging from 2,967 to 3,167 over the last four years.The Government of India started Project Tiger to address this issue, resulting in 53 tiger reserves in India, up from nine when the project began. Tiger numbers almost doubled from 2006 to 2018, reaching 2,967, and are now above 3,000. During my recent visit to Pench Tiger Reserve , I got to witness this majestic creature.
Talking to a few forest officials in the Reserve and from the information given by our Guide in Safari , gave me an insight into responsible tourism and how we as children can contribute to Conservation. By Involving youth in conservation efforts, it instils a deep sense of empathy and responsibility towards the planet’s diverse ecosystems and their inhabitants. This early connection between we children and wildlife can foster a lifelong commitment to protecting wildlife.
Through Sunshine school workshops and seminars , we have always thrown light on the importance of children understanding the importance of wildlife conservation from an early age. As future stewards of the Earth, children play a pivotal role in advocating for sustainable practices, influencing their families and communities. Would like to emphasize that by empowering children in wildlife conservation it nurtures a generation that values and safeguards the nature.
As the founder of Sunshine Environment magazine, what motivated you to go beyond rhetoric and actively organize workshops, seminars, cleanup drives, and plantation initiatives?
Manya Harsha – Through several workshops, seminars, and innovative campaigns, I connect with the youth of today to ignite a fire of environmental consciousness within the hearts of countless young individuals, empowering them to become agents of positive change in their own right.I recognized the immense value of reusing resources and minimizing waste. I actively engage with communities, host workshops and seminars that shed light on the importance of recycling in reducing our environmental footprint.
Children’s climate activism is a powerful force, fueled by a genuine concern for the planet’s future. It’s a movement driven by passion, and not profit. We, the young activists are resolute in demanding action against climate change, recognizing that our generation will bear the brunt of its consequences.
Our message is clear: THE EARTH IS NOT FOR SALE , and future generations won’t trade their planet for short-term gains. Their unwavering commitment inspires us all to act responsibly and protect our home.
Your SUNSHINE – Children for Change Campaign has achieved significant milestones. Can you share the impact it has had on communities and the environment?
Manya Harsha – The Mission is to make the world a greener and cleaner place for today and for the future generations through my project ” SUNSHINE – Children for Change “.
Inspired by the words of Swami Vivekananda who said ” Arise, awake and stop not until the goal is reached” , I started my journey on a green path for a sustainable future. The vision is to chanalise YOUTH POWER FOR CLIMATE ACTION. I believe every individual has the potential hidden in him/ her to ACCELERATE CHANGE and ignite the SPARK OF ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM through one right move.
Through SUNSHINE – Children for Change Campaign.l have till date distributed , 10000+ Sapplings, distributed 9000+sustainable bags , planted7600 Sapplings, thrown around 17000+ seed bombs during my travel. .l have also organised numerous cleanups in various water bodies, forest, highway and city roads.In 9 years of Environmental journey, I have collected nearly 330 kgs of Plastic waste . I still have a long way to go in my fight against Climate Change.
Being a Founder and Chief editor of Sunshine Fortnightly Environment Magazine I have Distributed 1000+ copies of Sunshine Fortnightly magazine amongst children, Montessori school and various government schools and public libraries. I’m humble to say this has Ignited a CHANGE amongst millions of YOUTH through the magazine. A number of competions have been organised through Sunshine to encourage Youth on the path of Environmentalism.
In addition to your environmental work, you’ve also organized cleanups. How do these activities contribute to your broader mission, and what challenges have you faced?
Manya Harsha – I don’t want to simply witness the destruction of Mother Earth. She is our Mother, and it’s Our duty as her children to stand up for our parents. So did I. I love my mother Earth and will continue to raise my voice for my Mother Earth. Initially when we started , I knew I was too young to fight my battle against Environmental crisis, But still I dint want to stay silent.
Children’s climate activism is a powerful force, fueled by a genuine concern for the planet’s future. It’s a movement driven by passion, and not profit. We, the young activists, are resolute in demanding action against climate change, recognizing that our generation will bear the brunt of its consequences.
Our message is clear: THE EARTH IS NOT FOR SALE , and future generations won’t trade their planet for short-term gains. Their unwavering commitment inspires us all to act responsibly and protect our home
Critics are everywhere. Whatever you do , people will talk. But I’m extremely happy to have received huge support from school , family and friends. Im glad ,I have been able to carry this Campaign to many Government schools of Karnataka.
Having conducted several plantation drives, clean ups , paper making workshop and seminars conducted in various schools, the motto is to incicate the practice of Environmentalism in children from the young age.
During clean up drives , initially I recieved a little criticism as to why I’m involved in cleaning up the world , but later , things settled down and people not only started appreciating the work , also joined hands to the campaign.
Being a youth icon, how do you balance your activism with your personal life, studies, and other responsibilities?
Manya Harsha – Balancing environmentalism, studies, and maintaining a Sunshine Journal demands a meticulous approach to time management and personal priorities. Integrating environmental consciousness into my daily routine involves adopting sustainable practices, such as reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly habits.
Simultaneously, I navigate the demands of academic studies by establishing a structured schedule, allocating specific time blocks for focused learning. The Sunshine Journal serves as a therapeutic outlet, allowing me to document moments of gratitude and positivity, fostering mental well-being amid academic and environmental pursuits. Striking this harmonious balance ensures that each aspect of my life contributes to personal growth, academic success, and a commitment to environmental stewardship.
What advice do you have for young individuals who aspire to make a positive impact on the environment and society, inspired by your journey and achievements?
Manya Harsha – The Earth is our Home . We Children are the future. When we children raise our voice, change definitely happens. Together we can and together we will bring the Change.
Through several workshops, seminars, and innovative campaigns, I connect with the youth of today to ignite a fire of environmental consciousness within the hearts of countless young individuals, empowering them to become agents of positive change in their own right.I recognized the immense value of reusing resources and minimizing waste.
I actively engage with communities, host workshops and seminars that shed light on the importance of recycling in reducing our environmental footprint.
Yes the main motto behind SUNSHINE Children for Change Campaign is to create and spread Awareness about climate action and the current need to Act Green. It’s not just me alone practicing Earth friendly activities but also happy driving my friends , classmates and family into action..”TO ME NOW, EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY ! BECAUSE I LOVE MY MOTHER EARTH and ITS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS HER CHILDREN TO RESPECT AND TAKE CARE OF HER. “
– Manya Harsha ( Environment Activist)
My message to the youth is …..
“Don’t wait for a Super Hero to lead the march of Climate Activism, Instead be one” .
Our SUNSHINE Children for Change Campaign aims to spread the message of unity and peace towards Environmentalism. We believe Together we can and together we will definitely bring the change.
