Participants gather at the starting line of TERRE Envirothon 2024 in Pune – a run for environmental awareness and sustainable living. | Image: puneripages.in
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🏃♀️ A Green Morning in Pune
Pune was abuzz with the spirit of sustainability on a fresh weekend morning as more than 700 energetic participants assembled for the TERRE Envirothon — an innovative eco-run organized in celebration of World Environment Day. The initiative wasn’t just about fitness; it was a dynamic call to action for citizens to unite and prioritize the health of the planet.
The run was organized by TERRE Policy Centre, one of Pune’s most respected environmental think-tanks. The route for the event was carefully curated to highlight the city’s scenic vistas — weaving through parks, urban greenery, and heritage sites. As runners moved past trees, lakes, and monuments, it served as a powerful reminder of the natural and cultural wealth worth preserving.
Following this visual journey, the event showcased an inspiring level of inclusivity. From children in school uniforms to corporate professionals and senior citizens, participants from diverse age groups and backgrounds gathered with one shared goal — to demonstrate their commitment to environmental awareness and inspire change through community-driven events.
From children in school uniforms to corporate professionals and senior citizens, participants from diverse age groups and backgrounds gathered with one shared goal — to demonstrate their commitment to environmental awareness and inspire change through community-driven events.
🌍 What is TERRE Envirothon?
First launched in Pune in 2016, the TERRE Envirothon has steadily grown into one of the city’s most anticipated environmental awareness events. Organized annually by TERRE Policy Centre, it has evolved from a modest local run into a movement drawing hundreds of participants from various backgrounds.? TERRE Envirothon is much more than a typical city run. It’s a grassroots movement designed to merge physical health with planetary health. Participants donning vibrant green t-shirts and eco-themed headbands were not just running — they were voicing the urgency of climate action. Many carried hand-painted placards promoting clean energy, biodiversity preservation, plastic-free lifestyles, and sustainable development.
The 2024 edition of the event revolved around the theme “Restore Our Earth,” focusing on ecosystem restoration and climate resilience. The message aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and emphasized the importance of individual and collective environmental responsibility.
Multiple local schools, colleges, and NGOs actively participated, turning the Envirothon into a city-wide celebration of sustainability. Representatives from government departments, environmental groups, and private companies also showed up in solidarity, highlighting how civic engagement can extend beyond mere awareness to actual advocacy.
🧒 Youth and Community Engagement
Youth participation was one of the standout highlights. Schoolchildren from over 30 educational institutions across Pune participated through their eco-clubs, including institutions like Symbiosis School, Vidya Valley, and Loyola High School. Volunteers from youth-led initiatives such as the Green Teens Collective, EcoNectar, and NCC cadets handled logistics, hydration counters, registration desks, and crowd management — showing that Gen Z isn’t just talking about climate change, they’re leading from the front.
The event featured multiple interactive booths offering engaging activities such as upcycling demonstrations, composting tutorials, and live mural painting. Participants could pledge tree-planting initiatives, sign up for zero-waste lifestyle workshops, and take quizzes on India’s environmental policies.
Before the flag-off, keynote speeches were delivered by TERRE Policy Centre’s founder Dr. Rajendra Shende and other civic leaders, local activists, and climate researchers. They spoke about the need to embed sustainability into everyday choices — from commuting habits to food consumption and digital waste. Youth participation was one of the standout highlights. Schoolchildren from over 30 educational institutions across Pune participated through their eco-clubs. Volunteers from youth-led initiatives and NCC cadets handled logistics, hydration counters, registration desks, and crowd management — showing that Gen Z isn’t just talking about climate change, they’re leading from the front.
The event featured multiple interactive booths offering engaging activities such as upcycling demonstrations, composting tutorials, and live mural painting. Participants could pledge tree-planting initiatives, sign up for zero-waste lifestyle workshops, and take quizzes on India’s environmental policies.
Before the flag-off, keynote speeches were delivered by TERRE Policy Centre’s founder Dr. Rajendra Shende and other civic leaders, local activists, and climate researchers. They spoke about the need to embed sustainability into everyday choices — from commuting habits to food consumption and digital waste.
🏅 Beyond the Finish Line
The TERRE Envirothon wasn’t a one-off event. It served as a springboard to announce long-term green initiatives. TERRE unveiled several programs such as e-waste collection drives across Pune neighborhoods, environmental literacy campaigns in schools, and a green certification program for urban housing societies. Notably, over 2,000 saplings were pledged for plantation, and approximately 150 kilograms of e-waste were collected during the event weekend alone.
Participants crossing the finish line were greeted not just with applause but with eco-friendly medals crafted from recycled metal, reusable cloth tote bags, biodegradable pouches, and certificates printed on seed paper. The event consciously avoided plastic; instead, water stations featured steel dispensers, and food stalls offered organic and locally sourced refreshments.
This pioneering approach to event management proved that it is possible to celebrate and mobilize communities while maintaining a minimal ecological footprint. The TERRE Envirothon wasn’t a one-off event. It served as a springboard to announce long-term green initiatives. TERRE unveiled several programs such as e-waste collection drives across Pune neighborhoods, environmental literacy campaigns in schools, and a green certification program for urban housing societies.
Participants crossing the finish line were greeted not just with applause but with eco-friendly medals crafted from recycled metal, reusable cloth tote bags, biodegradable pouches, and certificates printed on seed paper. The event consciously avoided plastic; instead, water stations featured steel dispensers, and food stalls offered organic and locally sourced refreshments.
This pioneering approach to event management proved that it is possible to celebrate and mobilize communities while maintaining a minimal ecological footprint.
📢 A Wake-Up Call and a Celebration
The TERRE Envirothon attracted extensive media coverage, with several local channels and publications applauding Pune’s proactive stance on environmental engagement. Social media was abuzz with participants sharing their moments using the hashtag #GreenRunPune, further extending the event’s impact beyond its physical boundaries.
Prominent city officials, education officers, and environment-focused NGOs expressed interest in collaborating on similar events in the future. The event also received mentions from climate policy bloggers and sustainability influencers, placing Pune on the map as a progressive city when it comes to climate awareness and action.
The TERRE Envirothon wasn’t just a fun run; it was a multi-dimensional campaign that blended education, action, and inspiration. It rekindled the belief that meaningful environmental action begins at the grassroots level — with citizens who care and act.
One participant, 17-year-old Ananya Deshmukh from Vidya Valley School, said, “Running with so many people who care about the planet gave me hope. It felt like we were not just running — we were moving towards change.”
Let this event serve as a resounding reminder that protecting the planet isn’t optional — it’s essential. And when communities rally together, even the smallest efforts can bloom into powerful movements for change. The TERRE Envirothon attracted extensive media coverage, with several local channels and publications applauding Pune’s proactive stance on environmental engagement. Social media was abuzz with participants sharing their moments using the hashtag #GreenRunPune, further extending the event’s impact beyond its physical boundaries.
Prominent city officials, education officers, and environment-focused NGOs expressed interest in collaborating on similar events in the future. The event also received mentions from climate policy bloggers and sustainability influencers, placing Pune on the map as a progressive city when it comes to climate awareness and action.
The TERRE Envirothon wasn’t just a fun run; it was a multi-dimensional campaign that blended education, action, and inspiration. It rekindled the belief that meaningful environmental action begins at the grassroots level — with citizens who care and act.
Let this event serve as a resounding reminder that protecting the planet isn’t optional — it’s essential. And when communities rally together, even the smallest efforts can bloom into powerful movements for change.
❓ FAQs
1. Who organized the TERRE Envirothon?
It was organized by TERRE Policy Centre, a Pune-based environmental think-tank known for its impactful green initiatives.
2. Who participated in the event?
Over 700 citizens from various walks of life — including students, professionals, families, and seniors — took part in the eco-run.
3. What was the main objective of the event?
The key goal was to raise awareness about environmental challenges and promote actionable, community-driven solutions to support sustainability.
4. Was the event open to the public?
Yes, the event was open to all individuals who registered in advance via the official TERRE website or partnered schools and organizations.
5. Will there be similar events in the future?
Absolutely. TERRE Policy Centre has already announced several follow-up activities such as clean-up drives, eco-education campaigns, and partnerships for sustainable urban development.
6. How can I get involved or volunteer for TERRE’s initiatives?
You can visit TERRE Policy Centre’s official website to register as a volunteer or subscribe to their newsletter for upcoming eco-events and opportunities.
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