This year, the Holi festival presented unique ideas on how to use natural colours. This was done through a poster campaign in colleges and universities in a few towns on India. Similar messages were also posted on social media websites and shared with several associations and media professionals connected with the environment.

Paryavaran Mitra, sent out inspiring messages to educational institutions urging the students to follow a few guidelines:

• Use natural colours made from turmeric, Harsingar bark, gulmohar petals, spinach and coriander leaves. These do not damage our skin, eyes or health and are completely safe. Do not waste water and achieve this by playing with dry colours.
• Please refrain from forcing people to play Holi if they show any any reluctance
• Avoide tobacco and alcohol consumption on this special day.
• No green tree should be cut down to burn the Holi pyre. Only deadwood or fallen twigs and branches to be used.
• Holi is a cultural festival. Let us celebrate this with laughter, poetry, dance and other cultural activities that bring happiness to all around us.
• Make sure we don’t litter our environment.