Mumbai Festivals Highlight Environmental Concerns

Manu Shrivastava says Mumbai has now become the Festival City of India with a new-found focus on environment given the devastating effects of climate change, vehicular pollution, and dipping quality of air. The festivals are promoting sustainable living, awareness about climate change and eco-friendly practices and bringing together people from different walks of life to celebrate nature, discuss environmental issues and share ideas on how to protect the environment.

- Manu Shrivastava 

India’s financial capital Mumbai has been abuzz with activity with an array of festivals marking the city’s timeline in 2023. Despite a two-year hiatus caused by COVID-19, resolute Mumbaikars have quickly recovered. The city has demonstrated its cultural strength through a series of festivals celebrating art, music, literature, sports, theatre, comedy, and more.

Mumbai has now become the Festival City of India with events happening year-round: And, mostly with a newfound focus on environment given the devastating effects of climate change, vehicular pollution, and dipping quality of air. The festivals are promoting sustainable living, awareness about climate change and eco-friendly practices and bringing together people from different walks of life to celebrate nature, discuss environmental issues and share ideas on how to protect the environment. Now, Mumbai ensures that environment remains at the top of all priorities even amidst all the festive brouhaha.

In October 2023, the city hosted the ‘YVCare Earth Festival’ where Mumbaikars got an opportunity to learn about and experience sustainable living. The festival was dedicated to ‘Earth, Environment, Ahimsa, Sustainability, Compassion and Health, advocating a Cruelty-free lifestyle’ and succeeded in spreading awareness on sustainable lifestyle choices, prevention of animal cruelty and environmental conservation. Events and workshops held here drew attention of visitors on veganism, deforestation, climate change, global warming, etc., and informed them on the interconnectedness of lifestyle and food choices and environmental sustainability.

Propagating Timeless Traditions, Indigenous Knowledge