Promoting environmental awareness among young readers took centre stage on the seventh day of the Chinar Book Festival 2026 as a children’s comic book focusing on ecological responsibility was launched at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar on Friday.
Titled ‘Vidya and Chhota Bheem: Big Green Mission,’ the comic aims to encourage children to become active participants in protecting Kashmir’s fragile environment. The publication will be released in 48 Indian languages, with one lakh copies planned for distribution across the country.
The launch also marked the beginning of a larger environmental literacy campaign, culminating in a 5K Reading Marathon on July 25 under the festival’s theme, “Together We Read, Together We Lead,” which is expected to involve thousands of students.
Speaking at the event, Chief Convenor of the Chinar Book Festival, Dr Amit Wanchoo, said the initiative seeks to foster environmental consciousness among young people and thanked all stakeholders for supporting the campaign.
Waseem Raja, JKAS, Joint Director, Tourism Department, J&K, described the festival as an important platform for engaging the younger generation on environmental issues. He urged children and youth to adopt sustainable practices such as replacing single-use plastic with jute bags and ensuring proper organic waste disposal.
He called upon the younger generation to play a leading role in making Kashmir pollution-free and preserving its natural beauty.
Dr Angelo George, CEO of Bisleri International Pvt Ltd said the comic book reflects the company’s belief that lasting environmental change begins with awareness and education. He noted that while plastic remains a useful invention, its responsible disposal is essential to preventing environmental degradation.
MLA Gulmarg Peerzada Farooq Ahmad Shah described Kashmir’s ecosystem as particularly vulnerable and warned that increasing plastic pollution poses a serious threat to the valley’s environment. He stressed that maintaining environmental cleanliness is vital not only for sustainable development but also for safeguarding Kashmir’s tourism sector.
“If tourist destinations continue to be littered with plastic waste, they will eventually lose their appeal,” he said, urging citizens, particularly the youth, to make it a personal mission to eliminate the use of polythene
