As Guwahati marks World Environment Day, many residents say environmental awareness is rising, but long-term public participation remains limited
Every year on June 5, World Environment Day brings renewed conversations about climate change, conservation and the need to protect natural resources. Across Guwahati, educational institutions, government departments and organisations mark the occasion with plantation drives, awareness programmes and environmental campaigns.
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Yet, behind the annual observance lies a question increasingly being raised by residents and nursery owners alike: while awareness about environmental issues may be growing, is active public participation slowly declining?
As concerns over rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns and climate change become more visible, several people in the city feel that environmental responsibility is often confined to symbolic gestures around World Environment Day rather than sustained action throughout the year.
Local nursery owners, many of whom have spent decades selling plants and saplings in Guwahati, say the occasion no longer generates the enthusiasm it once did.
Prabhat Deka, a nursery seller who has been in the business since 1982, said demand for plants has reduced significantly over the years.
"The sale is very low now. Earlier, there used to be regular demand, especially around occasions like World Environment Day. I have been working in this field since 1982, and there was a time when daily sales would be around ₹3,000 to ₹4,000. Today, there are days when I sit the entire day without any income. I have a variety of plants and saplings available, but the number of buyers has reduced considerably," he told GPlus.
His experience points to a noticeable shift in public engagement. While environmental concerns have become a regular topic of discussion, participation through activities such as purchasing saplings and maintaining green spaces appears to have become less common.
Pankaj Talukdar, another nursery owner, said sales witness only a marginal increase around World Environment Day.
"The entire year there is not much sale. It is only a few days before World Environment Day that some people come to purchase plants. School students, government officials and a few organisations also buy saplings for plantation activities. Apart from that, the response remains limited," he said.
For many sellers, World Environment Day has increasingly become a brief period of activity rather than a significant annual boost in demand.
Pranjal Malakar, who also runs a nursery in the city, said even Environment Day itself no longer guarantees increased sales.
"Nowadays, there are hardly any sales. Earlier, people used to purchase plants specifically on Environment Day, but now I often spend the entire day sitting idle. Throughout the year, business remains moderate, but as far as Environment Day is concerned, there is not much impact anymore," he said.
The observations made by nursery owners reflect a broader reality in urban areas where environmental awareness is often expressed through discussions and online campaigns, but less frequently through sustained personal action.
However, there are still residents who continue to view plantation and gardening as a year-round responsibility rather than a once-a-year activity.
Monika Devi, a resident of Six Mile who came to purchase saplings, said her interest in gardening extends beyond environmental observances.
"Gardening and plantation are my hobbies. Even at my workplace, I encourage others to plant trees. I do not do it only because of World Environment Day. I try to continue it throughout the year. Although I live in a flat, I still make an effort to maintain plants and stay connected to nature," she said.
Her perspective reflects the belief that environmental conservation begins with everyday habits rather than annual campaigns alone.
For younger generations, memories of school-led plantation drives remain strong, though participation appears to have changed over time.
Shahid Islam, a student in Guwahati, said environmental activities were once a more visible part of school life, "I am planning to purchase a plant today. I remember that we used to plant saplings in our school campus on World Environment Day. Nowadays, people are not really doing it as much. Most of us are occupied with studies, work and other responsibilities, and we are unable to give enough time to nature," he said.
His remarks highlight a challenge faced by many urban residents: balancing environmental responsibility with increasingly demanding lifestyles.
At a time when climate-related concerns are becoming more evident, some residents argue that consistent engagement with nature is more important than ever.
Leena Singha, a resident of Guwahati, said environmental responsibility should not be restricted to a single day, "I love planting trees and taking care of plants. These days, many young people do not find time for such activities. But climate change is becoming increasingly evident around us. Being committed to protecting nature should not be confined to World Environment Day alone. It should be a year-round effort," she said.
Her observation resonates with a growing sentiment among environmental advocates that awareness alone is no longer enough. While campaigns and plantation drives continue to play an important role, meaningful environmental action depends on long-term commitment from individuals, communities and institutions.
As Guwahati continues to expand and urbanise, green spaces are increasingly coming under pressure. At the same time, concerns over heat, pollution and changing weather patterns are becoming more prominent in public discussions.
Against this backdrop, World Environment Day remains an important reminder of the challenges facing the environment. However, conversations across the city suggest that the larger challenge may not be creating awareness, but encouraging people to translate that awareness into sustained action.
Whether through planting a sapling, maintaining a garden, reducing waste or protecting existing green spaces, many believe environmental responsibility cannot remain limited to a single day on the calendar.
For some residents, World Environment Day continues to inspire action. For others, it serves as a reminder that the health of the environment depends not on annual observances alone, but on the choices made every day of the year.