Lucknow: The second phase of the 18th Dastak Youth Festival began on Friday with focus on environmental awareness and youth-led sustainability initiatives.The objective of the event is to sensitise people through innovative and relatable mediums. Under this initiative, eco clubs will be established in at least 55 colleges which will engage students in creative outreach programmes, including the production of short videos and short films, street plays, skits and thematic exhibitions.The event is being organised with the support of UP tourism department, Yuva Club and Eco tourism initiatives. Students will take the lead in spreading awareness on issues like water conservation, environmental protection, waste management and eco-tourism.Founder of the festival, Deepak Kabir, said that youth participation was the key to bringing about behavioural change. “Students are powerful changemakers, and by empowering them to create content and organise activities, we are encouraging peer learning and community engagement,” he said.Winning teams will be awarded during the closing ceremony scheduled on Mar 21 (World Forest Day).“With climate concerns and water scarcity emerging as major challenges, the second phase of Dastak Youth Festival aims to transform campuses into hubs of environmental action, inspiring young citizens to contribute towards a sustainable future,” co-founder and coordinator of Dastak, Sangita Jaiswal, said.
