Deo urges religious leaders to create awareness of environmental-related issues during religious gatherings

The Pacific Recycling Foundation is strongly urging faith-based organisations and religious leaders to start looking at raising awareness on critical environmental-related issues confronting Fiji and the region, such as pollution, improper waste management, and climate change, and solutions such as recycling in their religious gatherings.

PRF Founder Amitesh Deo made the call following the successful training of the Hindu Priest, Rishi Niwas of Shiv Krish Temple in Kabutri Drive, Koronivia, by the PRF team on various aspects of waste management, particularly recycling.

Deo says Niwas will now work closely with the PRF to create awareness of recycling during the Krishna Janmashtami at Shiv Krish Temple, a Hindu festival to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.

He says they expect the devotees to take back key learnings on proper waste management and their individual roles in their community during the celebrations.

He adds this is a significant step that a religious leader has taken and has come about through the PRF’s ‘Look Beyond’ movement-building approach, where recycling and waste management solutions should be for everyone.

The PRF Founder says religious leaders are often the most respected and biggest influencers in their communities, and their involvement in championing solutions for environmental sustainability, particularly recycling, will be greatly appreciated.

Deo says it is an exciting development in the waste management space, and they look forward to working with other religious leaders to continue advocating for best practices.

He says they are also very grateful to Niwas for leading the way in the spiritual space for recycling advocacy.