Several iconic landmarks across the national capital, including India Gate, Red Fort, and Rashtrapati Bhavan, switched off their lights on Saturday evening as part of WWF-India’s Earth Hour Festival 2025. The initiative, now in its 19th edition, coincided with World Water Day and carried the theme “BeWaterWise”, aiming to inspire collective efforts to protect the planet’s depleting water resources.
A major highlight of the evening was a captivating musical performance by composer and WWF-India’s Hope & Harmony Ambassador, Shantanu Moitra. Drawing inspiration from his 2,700-km journey along the Ganga River, Moitra mesmerized the audience with melodies that reflected his experiences. Speaking at the event, he shared, “As an artist and environmentalist, it is truly inspiring to perform in front of an audience passionate about nature and conservation. The Earth Hour Festival was the perfect stage to share the stories and sounds from my travels along the Ganga.”
The festival also featured a compelling address by Bharat Lal, Secretary-General and CEO of the National Human Rights Commission, who emphasized the deep connection between environmental sustainability and human rights. He highlighted the urgent need for policies that ensure both ecological balance and the well-being of communities dependent on natural resources.
Additionally, a thought-provoking panel discussion brought together cultural and heritage experts, including Tarana Sawhney, Chairperson of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s Task Force for Art and Culture; Ratish Nanda, CEO of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture India; and historian Vikramjit Singh Rooprai. The discussion explored water conservation through the perspectives of art, architecture, and heritage, emphasizing the role of cultural preservation in sustainable water management.
Sawhney underscored the growing water crisis in India, stating, “With rapid urbanization, climate change, and over-exploitation of resources, water scarcity is becoming a major concern. The need for sustainable water management has never been more pressing.”
WWF-India’s Earth Hour Festival 2025 successfully brought together environmentalists, artists, and policy-makers to champion the cause of water conservation. By uniting efforts across disciplines, the event reinforced the message that protecting the planet’s water resources is a shared responsibility that requires immediate and sustained action.
