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Vanamahotsava Prayer Service June-3!11!12
Vanamahotsava Prayer Service June-3!11!12
Vanamahotsava Prayer Service June-3!11!12
Don Bosco Youth Services Matunga, MUMBAI 400 019 Tel: 24154477 E-mail: avecmatunga@gmail.com
Prayer service to celebrate Vanamahotsava (festival of forests) Day (Incorporate the World Environment Day 5 June - WED 2011: International year of Forests) Theme: "Forests: Nature at your Service" Quote: The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn. - Ralph Waldo Emerson Symbol: Logo of WED 2011 Forests for People Activity: Planting a sapling in a pot / in a striking spot in the campus. He who plants a tree Plants a Hope. ~ Lucy Larcom, from Plant a Tree Introduction: Teacher / Leader: June 5th World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 as an important day for all in our global village and is commemorated in a different city each year with an international exposition through the week of June 5. This year India hosted the events. World Environment Day is a vehicle through which the United Nations stimulates world wide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. This year 2011 is declared as the International Year of Forests by the United Nations to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. The Logo conveys the theme of Forests for People celebrating the central role of people. The elements in the logo depict some of the multiple values of forests. Forests provide shelter to people and habitat to biodiversity; are a source of food, medicine and clean water. Forests play a vital role in maintaining a stable global climate and environment. All of these elements taken together reinforce the message that forests are vital to the survival and well being of people everywhere, all 7 billions and more of us humans.
*Building a New Humanity Through Universal Values* PRAYER SERVICE FROM AVEC
Teacher / Leader: People who will not sustain trees will soon live in a world that will not sustain people." B Nelson Reader 9: Vanamahotsava - the festival of forests is celebrated in order to nurture trees and protect our priceless forests. This includes planting new trees and cultivating them till they grow and generate a forest for a healthy eco system. Vanamahotsava implies that we stop tree felling or deforestation and prevent degradation of the forests in promoting greenery - "Go green" initiative. The Government of India began the annual festival of tree planting with the idea of Vanamahotsava in 1950, but over the years, the implementation has become a ritual for politicians seeking media publicity. The actual number of trees planted by these rituals should have covered the whole of India by now. Vanmahotsava is an effort to create awareness of tree culture among the various sections of the people - children and adults to promote Ecological Consciousness. We appreciate the rich biodiversity for environmental stability and strive to conserve and preserve our vast ecosystem to safeguard Mother Earth. Let us embrace the tree culture bestowed upon us by the tradition of our ancestors and add to it by planting more and more trees. Teacher / Leader: We shall now have the activity of planting a sapling as an initiation and inspiration likewise for each one plant one and care a sapling / plant / tree in your place.
Reader 10: Forests embody so much of what is good and strong in our lives. Yet despite all of these priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, we are destroying the very forests we need to live and breathe. Our forests have been victimized by human threat. Loss of biodiversity and extinction of precious species ultimately impoverishes us all, as harm to our forest life-support system continues each and every single day. We hope in a greener future where forests are at the heart of our sustainable development and green economy improving every aspect of our quality of life lies in our hands. Each tree proclaims a forest if only we could see. Reader 11(child): Let us pay that we may be good stewards of Gods beautiful creation: (pause) Dear God: We love this wonderful earth which you have created, but we are worried about many things which can cause it harm. We understand that there are many problems with our environment. We ask you, God, to help us find ways to take better care of the earth. We know that there are many
*Building a New Humanity Through Universal Values* PRAYER SERVICE FROM AVEC
While you go out with joy! 2. And all the birds of the sky will chirp and sing (3) While you go out with joy! Concluding message: (by the Principal / Teacher) This day invites us to action alongside prayer. We are encouraged to participate in (United Nations Environment Programme) UNEPs Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign which strongly encourages planting indigenous trees, or other plants / trees appropriate to our local environment. Enter your tree planting pledges on the web site: (http://www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign/). Requirements: A Teacher and a Student Leader will take full responsibility for prior preparation:
1. Arrange and organize the prayer service, with prior preparation for the requirement. Assign
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students of all sections/classes to responsibly render their role, practice earlier to set the tone of prayerful devotion and let the prayer flow with meaningful pauses without flaw. Display prominently The Theme, Quote and the Logo on Nature at Your Service. 7 students to hold placards on benefits of the forest & read the message about the logo. 5 students for the planting activity having the necessary tools with them - an empty pot, a bag of soil, a sapling, a gardening device and a mug of water. 4 more readers and 3 teachers to perform their part during the prayer.
Suggested activities: 1. Ceremonies and Celebrities; Competitions and Concerts; Drama and Poetry; seminars and debates; 2. Drawing, painting, poster, slogan, skit and essay (literary and art) competitions on issues of forests. 3. Environmental Education and Awareness-raising on the value of natural resources (prevention of pollution, careful use/reuse of water, identifying certified forest products etc.). 4. Tree planting, recycling efforts, clean-up campaigns, green concerts etc., 5. Sports Activities: green marathons, walkathons, bicycle parades and carpool to raise awareness,, Workshop on optimum use of different resources e.g. (washing, cleaning or watering plants with grey water, i.e. water that has already been used for something else and is no longer considered safe for consumption). 6. Demonstrations in the use of fuel efficient stoves, alternative fuels, use of good cooking/fire management practices; the sustainable agriculture; the sustainable use of forest resources; school or kitchen gardens. 7. Show support conservation efforts and green policies. Share your activity with the rest of the world to inspire others! Please register your activity on http://www.unep.org/WED. World Environment Day 2011 8. Online and Social media activities; Publicity and Media Coverage; create your own ideas and guidelines, and submit to WED! 9. Watch this short animated film http://oreeko.com/2011/05/various/world-environment-daycoming-up/ which highlights the role forests towards a green economy and climate change. More on World Environment Day 10. World Environment Day 2011 on TreeHugger.; 11. Winner Announced in UNEP Blogging Contest!
*Building a New Humanity Through Universal Values* PRAYER SERVICE FROM AVEC