**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and WWF-India organized a nationwide awareness campaign on March 28, 2026, to mark the 20th anniversary of Earth Hour. Under the theme "Give an Hour for Earth," the initiative promoted Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) through symbolic light switch-offs and community-led conservation activities. The event focused on engaging youth and trainees to reinforce energy conservation and environmental responsibility across India.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Event Overview and Objectives**
* The campaign celebrated 20 years of Earth Hour, a global movement that has expanded to over 190 countries since 2007.
* The primary call to action was "Give an Hour for Earth," encouraging citizens to move beyond symbolic gestures toward active environmental contribution.
* The initiative was conducted under WWF-India’s Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building & Livelihood Programme (EIACP).
**Regional and Institutional Activities**
* **Gwalior:** Awareness exhibitions were held at The Scindia School to engage students in sustainable lifestyles.
* **IITTM, Gwalior:** Outreach activities continued at the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) with a focus on tourism-related environmental management.
* **Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP):** Trainees from over 15 States and Union Territories participated in outreach and committed to promoting "Nature Conservator cum Eco-Tourism Guide" values.
**Nationwide Observance**
* A unified light switch-off was observed from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM across the country.
* Participants included iconic monuments, heritage sites, and government buildings.
* The scope of activities expanded to include clean-up drives, tree plantations, biodiversity walks, cycling campaigns, and sustainability workshops.
**Impact Analysis**
**Students and Youth**
**Impact**
They served as the primary target for awareness and capacity-building efforts, gaining exposure to environmental challenges and sustainable lifestyle practices.
**Action Required**
Engage in environmental conservation activities, commit to sustainable habits, and participate in local clean-up or plantation drives.
**Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) Trainees**
**Impact**
Trainees from various states were empowered to act as messengers for Mission LiFE and the "Save Energy" theme.
**Action Required**
Adopt responsible energy consumption habits and lead community outreach efforts to promote environmental conservation.
**Government and Public Institutions**
**Impact**
Iconic monuments and government buildings across India participated in a symbolic energy-saving measure, reinforcing the message of climate action at a national level.
**Action Required**
Implement a one-hour switch-off of non-essential lights and support nationwide sustainability initiatives.
**WWF-India and MoEFCC**
**Impact**
These organizations successfully facilitated a multi-state collaboration to strengthen the grassroots environmental movement.
**Action Required**
Continue to coordinate capacity-building programs and provide platforms for individual and collective environmental responsibility.
Key Entities Referenced
Earth Hour: A global grassroots environmental movement marking its 20th anniversary, celebrated in India through a nationwide awareness campaign and a symbolic switch-off of lights.
Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): A national initiative promoted during the event to encourage sustainable lifestyles, responsible habits, and reduced energy consumption.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC): The primary central ministry that co-organized the awareness campaign and oversees environmental conservation activities in India.
Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building & Livelihood Programme (EIACP): The framework under which WWF-India conducted the Earth Hour outreach activities and capacity building for environmental conservation.
Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP): An initiative whose trainees participated in nationwide activities to promote environmental responsibility and the 'Nature Conservator cum Eco-Tourism Guide' course.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
MoEFCC, WWF-India Organise Awareness
Campaign to Mark 20 Years of Earth Hour
Posted On: 28 MAR 2026 7:06PM by PIB Delhi
WWF India, in collaboration with The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC),
on Saturday organised awareness and outreach activities in Gwalior to mark 20 years of Earth Hour, with
a nationwide call to “Give an Hour for Earth”.
The activities were conducted under WWF-India’s Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity
Building & Livelihood Programme (EIACP) as part of the nationwide observance of Earth Hour. The
programme was held in the presence of Ms. Nameeta Prasad, Joint Secretary, MoEFCC, and Ms. Lipika
Roy, Joint Director, along with participation from trainees of the Green Skill Development Programme
(GSDP) on “Nature Conservator cum Eco-Tourism Guide”.
An Earth Hour awareness campaign and exhibition were organised at The Scindia School, Gwalior,
engaging a large number of students and promoting sustainable lifestyles and environmental
responsibility. The initiative was further carried forward at the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel
Management (IITTM), Gwalior, in the presence of Dr. Chandra Shekhar Barua, Assistant Professor –
Tourism Studies and Chairman & Placement Officer – MBA (Tourism and Travel Management). The
observance included a symbolic switch-off of lights from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM to reinforce the message of
energy conservation and climate action.
The initiative was strengthened by the presence of Dr. G. Areendran, Director – Tech for Conservation,
WWF-India and EIACP Coordinator, who emphasised the importance of youth engagement and capacity
building in environmental conservation. GSDP students from more than 15 States and Union Territories
actively conveyed messages during Earth Hour and committed to promoting sustainable lifestyles.
Across the country, GSDP students participated in a unified nationwide switch-off, reaffirming their
commitment to promote Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and the Save Energy theme by
adopting responsible habits and reducing energy consumption. Iconic monuments, heritage sites and
government buildings across the country joined the initiative with a switch-off observed from 8:30 PM to
9:30 PM across regions.Earth Hour, the world’s largest grassroots environmental movement, marks its 20th anniversary this year.
Since its inception in 2007, it has grown into a global initiative across over 190 countries. In India, it has
evolved beyond the symbolic “switch-off” to encourage people to dedicate one hour to the planet through
activities such as clean-up drives, tree plantation, biodiversity walks, cycling campaigns and sustainability
workshops. The activities witnessed enthusiastic participation and highlighted the importance of
individual and collective responsibility in addressing environmental challenges.
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VM/GS
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