An Interview with Arun Krishnamurthy
Introduction
This lesson is an interview with Arun Krishnamurthy, a well-known environmentalist. He founded the Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI) at the age of 17. Through this organization, he and his team work to protect nature by cleaning lakes, ponds, beaches, and other water bodies. The interview explains his journey, his environmental work, and his message for young people.
About Arun Krishnamurthy
- Arun Krishnamurthy founded the Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI) when he was only 17 years old.
- His environmental work started with the Turtle Walk, a project to protect turtle eggs and hatchlings in Chennai.
- Today, he works with a large team of volunteers.
- His organization has cleaned beaches and water bodies in Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Coimbatore, and Puducherry.
- EFI also plants trees, creates awareness through street plays, and makes environment-friendly paper bags.
Inspiration Behind His Environmental Work
The Incident That Changed His Life
- Arun lived near a beautiful lake.
- The lake once had many birds, frogs, and snakes.
- Over time, the lake became heavily polluted.
- Pollution caused mosquitoes to spread and damaged the surroundings.
- Seeing this made him sad and concerned.
- He decided to take action instead of ignoring the problem.
First Environmental Activity
- Arun and a few friends cleaned the pond near his house.
- This became his first step towards environmental protection.
- It inspired him to continue working for nature.
Support from Parents and Teachers
Parents’ Support
- Arun’s parents understood his interest in environmental work.
- They never stopped him from following his passion.
- He always informed them about his activities and took their advice.
Teachers’ Support
- His teachers guided him in taking proper action.
- They taught him humility and simplicity.
- They encouraged him to keep learning.
- Arun says he is an environmentalist, not an activist, because he learns continuously through his work.
Influence of School and College
- Both his school and college had plenty of greenery.
- Many forms of wildlife lived there.
- This helped him understand the importance of nature.
- He observed that animals find their own food, remain active, and live independently.
- He believes humans can learn many positive qualities from animals.
Leaving His Job for Environmental Work
- Arun worked at Google.
- He loved his work there and maintained good relationships with his colleagues.
- However, he realized that environmental issues needed his full attention.
- In 2010, he made the difficult decision to leave his job.
- He chose to dedicate himself completely to environmental conservation.
Reason for Leaving
- He felt that environmental damage was increasing on a large scale.
- He wanted to contribute more effectively.
- Full-time environmental work would allow him to create a greater impact.
Garbage Found in Water Bodies
Arun explains that people throw many kinds of waste into lakes and ponds, such as:
- Diapers
- Worn-out slippers
- Household waste
- Other garbage
He finds this disturbing because water is essential for life.
Removal of Garbage
What Happens to the Collected Waste?
- The collected waste is sent to landfill sites.
- The process is done carefully to reduce environmental exposure.
- The aim is to keep lakes and water-holding areas clean.
Benefits of Clean Water Bodies
- Birds can live safely.
- Frogs can survive peacefully.
- Snakes and other wildlife can thrive.
- The ecosystem remains healthy.
Time Required to Clean a Lake
The time needed depends on:
- The size of the lake
- The amount of garbage present
Approximate Time
- Minimum: 5 days
- Maximum: 3 months
Equipment Used for Cleaning
Arun’s team uses:
- Rakes
- Spades
- Earth movers
- Poclain machines
These tools help remove garbage, weeds, and harmful shrubs.
Safety Measures
To ensure safe cleaning operations, volunteers use:
- Nose masks
- Sanitary gloves
These protective items help prevent infections and protect health.
Cleaning Process
- The cleaning process involves:
- Wearing safety equipment.
- Collecting garbage with rakes and spades.
- Dumping the waste into collection buckets.
- Transporting the waste through garbage trucks.
- Using heavy machinery to remove weeds and harmful plants.
- Restoring the water body to a clean condition.
Advice for Children and Young Adults
Arun believes everyone can help the environment through small actions.
His Suggestions
1. Stop Throwing Garbage
- People should not throw trash outside their homes.
2. Reduce Waste
- Reduce the amount of garbage generated daily.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
- Garbage should be disposed of safely and responsibly.
4. Volunteer for Environmental Work
- Students can actively participate in environmental activities.
Common Waste Generated at Home
Arun mentions:
- Straws
- Tissues
- Wrappers
- Batteries
- Fast-food waste
These items often end up in lakes and water bodies.
Time Students Can Contribute
According to Arun:
- Students can devote about four hours every weekend.
- Two hours on Saturday and two hours on Sunday are sufficient.
- Small efforts can lead to greater participation and impact.
Opportunities for Students
EFI encourages students to join environmental activities.
Programmes Offered
The organization provides opportunities for:
- Animal lovers
- Wildlife photographers
- Film-makers
- Theatre artists
- Scientific researchers
Training
- Students receive training in their areas of interest.
- They are actively involved in environmental projects.
Young Volunteers
- Even very young students can participate.
- The youngest volunteer mentioned is in Class 3.
Qualities of Arun Krishnamurthy
- Environmentally conscious
- Determined
- Responsible
- Hard-working
- Humble
- Dedicated
- Inspiring
- Caring towards nature
- Leadership skills
- Socially aware
Important Themes
1. Environmental Protection
The lesson highlights the importance of protecting natural resources and water bodies.
2. Social Responsibility
Every citizen should contribute to keeping the environment clean.
3. Volunteerism
Young people can create positive change through voluntary work.
4. Leadership
One person’s initiative can inspire many others.
5. Conservation of Nature
Protecting lakes, animals, birds, and ecosystems is essential for a healthy future.
Message of the Lesson
- Small actions can create big changes.
- Young people can contribute significantly to society.
- Environmental protection is everyone’s responsibility.
- Clean surroundings lead to a healthier life.
- Dedication and teamwork can solve environmental problems.
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