The rakhi is a symbol of love. Traditionally, a sister ties a rakhi onto her brother's wrist to express her love for him and in return the brother promises her a lifetime of protection. Like many Indian festivals Rakshabandhan is celebrated with joy and in the weeks before this festival markets are aglow with the colour and beauty of the rakhis!

Someone somewhere must be putting in a lot of effort into these little symbols of affection. While each rakhi is painstakingly crafted using all kinds of materials, they are transitory objects that are not expected to last forever!

But has anyone thought what happens to the Rakhis after Rakshabandhan? Surely, most brothers try to keep them on their wrists as long as they can, but eventually its time for the outer rakhi to be dropped and replaced by the inner knowledge of the bond we share. And where does the Rakhi go? Into the dustbin of course!

Its impressive to think that in the days after Rakshabandhan thousands or maybe millions of rakhis must be finding their way to the municipal garbage and then eventually to a landfill!

Whereas initially rakhis were made out of colourful thread, over the years the simple bracelet has been embellished by all kinds of materials that are not bio degradable. What seems like a harmless trinket adds up to a sizeable amount of pollution when thousands of people use and throw away rakhis such as these.

Would it not be that much better if we all decided to use rakhis made out of natural or biodegradable materials only? Think of all the natural materials that one can use – jute, banana tree fibre, coconut fibre. Even using simple cotton thread would be an eco sensitive way of celebrating rakshabandhan.

What you can do:

Do not use rakhis that are made using

1. Plastic
2. Thermocole
3. Sequins
4. Sponge
5. Any metal decorations
6. Any glass decorations

Instead make your own rakhis using:

1. Cotton or silk threads
2. Wooden beads
3. Seeds (why not?)
4. Jute
5. Natural fibres such as coconut or banana fibres.

If you used a rakhi like this, after it has played its role on your brothers wrist, it will not pollute the environment and add to the garbage situation. Who knows if you made it using seeds it might even sprout into a plant or even a tree somewhere?

Now isn't that really a symbol of love for all of life?!

Befriend Nature - tie a rakhi to a tree or an animal this year!

Here is another way of celebrating Rakshabandhan! Take this opportunity to offer your love and pledge your protection to nature. Find a tree in your neighbourhood that you really love or an animal that has won your heart and tie a rakhi around them! Trees are constantly giving us - their fruit, their shade and most importantly the oxygen they generate! By providing the most important element for human survival they are actually protecting us. Why not take the chance to offer our gratitude by tying a rakhi around the tree?

Some youth did exactly this in Lucknow, when they tied a seven foot rakhi around a Neem tree whom they lovingly called 'Neem bhaiyya'! A very famous environmental movement called the 'Chipko movement' began when women spontaneoulsy hugged trees to protect them! You might discover that when you tie a rakhi around the same tree year after year, it may become as dear to you as a brother!

You can also offer a rakhi to an animal - a pet dog or a cat or even a stray one that has won your heart and that you have been looking after. So rarely do we take the time to express our love to Nature - well Rakshabandhan seems to be the right time to do it!!

Read more about eco sensitive Rakshabandhan

A global 'Environmental Rakhi'!

Youth in Lucknow tie rakhi to 'Neem bhaiya'!

The bond of love and light: A story

Leaving trees in knots: literally!
Students tie rakhis to trees, pledge to protect them

The Plant Trees, Save Trees campaign
Rajendra Singh inspires people to tie rakhis to trees