Mumbai: Human wellbeing is closely linked to the health of the environment. As we begin to experience the long-term consequences of exponential industrial growth and energy use, it is our collective responsibility to conserve natural resources and protect the global ecosystem to support health and wellbeing, now and in the future. Mittali Sethi, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of 2017 batch of Maharashtra cadre, has stepped her efforts to ensure sustainability of the environment in innovative ways.

As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zilla Parishad, Chandrapur, Maharashtra, Sethi is encouraging people to recycle waste materials, thus less trash going to our landfills. Recycling also helps in the conservation of energy and natural resources. Guided by this, Anganwadi schools of Chandrapur are providing waste tyres a new and creative look to make the best use of the waste.

Moving towards incorporating BaLA or Building as Learning Aids in the activity based learning and holistically planning the waste management, the field workers, Gram Panchayat and the community are doing commendable work. Waste tyres used in play areas as well as in the classrooms of the schools are giving it an all dynamic look.

“The initiative taken by the CDPO, Brahmpuri, is inspiring for all of us. Creating a sustainable environment is the need of the hour and we should all contribute our efforts in whichever way. This innovation is a double bonanza for us, as it is providing the Anganwadi schools a vibrant look and hence, children are more enthusiastic to attend the school,” said Sethi.

The focus areas of Mittali Sethi include education and sanitation. In her previous stint in Melghat, a tribal region in Maharashtra, she played an important role in understanding and finding solutions to combat child nutrition issues in the region. /BI/