Vasundhara's Beloved Poems: Baplia! E-waste is not affordable

In old times, from grandfather to grandson, it is impossible to walk without a mobile or a gadget, be it a digital toy or a tablet. The question has arisen that what happens when these gadgets or electronic items get damaged? To address this very issue, International E-Waste Day is celebrated on 14th October every year to create awareness about the need to recycle electronic waste (e-waste) and proper disposal. The amount of e-waste is growing five times faster than recycling collection rates in the world, with the amount expected to rise to 82 billion kg by 2030. You may be surprised to know that e-waste contains more than 1000 toxic substances, which can contaminate soil and groundwater. China is by far the largest producer of e-waste in the world. It has already generated over 1.2 crore metric tonnes of e-waste in 2022. 70 lakh metric tonnes of e-waste was produced in America, while India is third with 40 lakh metric tonnes. According to the 'United Nations Trade and Development' report, India recorded the highest global increase of 163 percent in the generation of electronic waste from screens, computers and small IT and telecommunication equipment between 2010 and 2022. According to the WHO, every year millions of electrical and electronic devices are destroyed or Discarded as obsolete. They pose a threat to the environment if they are not disposed of or recycled. Common items in e-waste streams include computers, mobile phones, large household appliances and medical devices. Millions of tonnes of e-waste are stored in households and warehouses around the world, dumped and exported illegally. However, a standard operating procedure has been announced for disposal of e-waste. When e-waste is recycled using unspecified activities, it can release up to 1000 different chemicals into the environment, including known neurotoxicants such as lead. The International Labor Organization estimates that 1.65 crore children were working in the waste process sub-sector in the industrial sector in 2020, and children and pregnant women are among the most at risk in the world. what can be done Prevention of unsustainable e-waste recycling activities requires action at national and international levels. including adopting and implementing high-level international agreements, developing national e-waste management legislation and implementing them in a way that protects public health. Incorporating health protection measures into national legislation, monitoring e-waste sites and surrounding communities, implementing interventions to improve informal e-waste recycling activities, protect public health and ensure important sources of community income, and eliminate child labor globally. 4Rs Important to e-waste The 4Rs are important in e-waste management. Which means reduce, use less non-biodegradable compounds that are not harmful to the environment. Reuse means reuse, find ways to reuse items instead of throwing them away. Recycle, put non-biodegradable materials through the recycling process so they can be restored. At the end is repair, i.e. repair of medical equipment and other electronic equipment. Public awareness for disaster risk reduction is imperative on October 13 as the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is celebrated across the world. The day was established in the year 1989 to promote a global culture of disaster risk reduction and awareness. Global strategies for disaster risk reduction address natural disasters, earthquakes and zoonotic diseases caused by climate change, and various aspects of mitigating environmental risks. A large-scale disturbance, natural or man-made, occurring over a short or long period of time is called a disaster. Disaster management is an important issue of discussion in India due to frequent natural calamities ranging from earthquakes, floods, droughts, etc. On average, about 6,800 natural disasters occur worldwide every year. The number of natural disasters has increased at an alarming rate, from just five in 1900, which has been steadily increasing. In the year 2023, India experienced 17 natural disasters, second only to the United States' 25. Proper planning and preventive measures to reduce the worst effects of hazards like earthquakes, floods and cyclones are very important for disaster prevention and risk reduction. Risk assessment, measures to prevent unplanned urbanization should be undertaken, focusing on urban drainage systems with special attention to obstruction of natural drainage systems. Critical infrastructure such as roads, dams, bridges, etc. should be continuously checked for safety standards. Environment sustainable infrastructure should be created. With the challenges of increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters like cyclones, floods and droughts, climate change resilience strategies should be formulated.}

World movement to save the Congolese Okapi World Okapi Day is observed on 18th October, to raise awareness and educate about the endangered wildlife of the Congo rainforest, the okapi. The day was originally celebrated for local towns around the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, but has since become a global event. Protecting okapi habitat and forest ecosystem, educating people about okapi. The okapi is threatened by many human activities. As such, issues include illegal gold mining, poaching and deforestation. The okapi has been declared an endangered species by the IUCN Redlist, due to its secretive life in densely forested habitats, population assessments are difficult. It is estimated that only 10,000 to 25,000 okapis remain in the wild in the world.