Mera Planet Mera Ghar addresses environmental issues for children

In response to growing concerns about the health and developmental well-being of young children due to increasing levels of pollution, Sesame Workshop India Trust has launched a Mera Planet Mera Ghar environmental initiative. To reduce developmental risks caused by the impact of pollution, children from 28 localities in Delhi were interviewed by Sesame Workshop India Trust for 4 months to understand the environmental issues they face, for which they could be supported by adults at home. and in communities. Sesame Workshop India’s Mera Planet Mera Ghar initiative keeps the developmental health interests of children at heart while tackling the environmental issue that is detrimental to the health and well-being of children.

To tackle the widespread impact of pollution on children, Sesame Workshop India partnered with nonprofits like Action India, Child Survival India and Chintan Environmental Research & Action Group who helped us manage the responses nearly 10,000 children from low-income communities in Delhi.

Children from the communities were interviewed in both age groups, ie 6-8 years and 9-10 years. The following environmental concerns were highlighted by the 6-8 year old age group:

• 46.94% of children said that all people, regardless of where they live, should be able to access safe drinking water within 500 meters of their home.
• 23.77 percent of children felt that garbage should not be burned, but rather should be separated into non-biodegradable and biodegradable waste. Optimized use of recycling of non-biodegradable waste and biodegradable waste should be converted into biogas and manure.
• 22.10 percent of children believed that the bicycle should be promoted as a means of transportation and should become cheaper.

On the other hand, in the 9-10 age group, the following concerns emerged as being of key importance which were shared by children before local leaders:

• 26.96 percent of children said bicycles should be promoted as a means of transportation and should become cheaper.
• 26.40% of children felt that all people, regardless of their place of residence, should be able to access drinking water within 500 meters of their home.
• 20 percent of the children called for a ban on the widespread use of fireworks and the creation of special zones for fireworks.

Focused on amplifying children’s voices on environmental concerns through consultative meetings and a community campaign, it aims to motivate adults and caregivers to pay attention to what children are saying. children so that every action on their part is informed and in the interest of a happier, healthier and greener future.