The 19th edition of the world’s largest environmental movement, Earth Hour, is set to illuminate the importance of collective action for planet conservation today, as key landmarks across the capital “Switch Off” in support of preserving the planet’s precious water resources. In a unique convergence, the World Wide Fund for Nature – India (WWF-India) is celebrating Earth Hour 2025 alongside World Water Day with a vibrant festival. This event brought together music, art, and architecture to inspire change under the theme #BeWaterWise.

At WWF-India’s Earth Hour Festival 2025, celebrated musician and WWF-India’s Hope & Harmony Ambassador, Shantanu Moitra, shared stories from his remarkable 2,700-km journey along the Ganga River. He also performed alongside Nyishi singer-songwriter Taba Chake, highlighting the vital link between music, communities, and environmental consciousness. Bharat Lal, SG & CEO of the National Human Rights Commission, delivered a special address, underscoring the significance of human rights in the context of environmental sustainability.

One of the festival’s highlights was the unveiling of an art installation by renowned contemporary Indian artist, Gopal Namjoshi. The installation, which features the endangered Ganges river dolphin – India’s national aquatic animal – was crafted from scrap metal and stands as a symbol of WWF-India’s long-standing commitment to water and biodiversity conservation. The sculpture, approximately 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide, will be permanently displayed at the WWF-India office in New Delhi.

In addition, world-renowned Indian sand artist and Padma Shri Awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik created a stunning sand art sculpture on the Puri beach in Odisha, depicting the #BeWaterWise messages of Earth Hour 2025 and the importance of switching off lights to raise awareness about climate change.

Ravi Singh, Secretary-General and CEO of WWF-India, said, “The Earth Hour Festival has become a key statement for WWF-India over the last two years. This year, it has provided a worthy platform for our community partners while igniting meaningful conversations on conservation through art, architecture, and music.”

Shantanu Moitra, WWF-India’s Hope & Harmony Ambassador, added, “As an artist and environmentalist, it has been an exciting evening for me to address a crowd of nature and conservation enthusiasts. I carry many stories and tunes from my journey along the River Ganga, and there could not have been a better time and stage to share them than at WWF-India’s Earth Hour Festival 2025.”

Renowned artist Gopal Namjoshi, speaking about the unveiling of his Ganges river dolphin installation, commented, “Creating this installation of the Ganges river dolphin has been a deeply meaningful experience for me. Art has the power to transform perceptions and inspire action. I hope this piece will encourage people to reflect on their relationship with nature and the urgent need to protect our rivers.”

Tarana Sawhney, Chairperson of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s Task Force for Art & Culture, and Member of WWF-India’s Philanthropy Advisory Board, shared, “As India faces increasing water scarcity due to rapid urbanisation, climate change, and over-exploitation of water resources, the need for sustainable water management has never been more critical.

Sawhney added, “Earth Hour 2025 serves as a powerful reminder of the urgency to conserve our planet’s precious resources. Water has long been a central theme in visual arts, symbolising life, purity, and renewal. It has also become a tool for confronting the consequences of water scarcity, urging viewers to think critically about their personal and collective responsibility toward water conservation.”

As part of Earth Hour 2025, several iconic landmarks and monuments across the capital joined in the global effort to raise awareness for environmental conservation by dimming or switching off their lights. These include India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the New Parliament House, along with the historic Old Fort and Red Fort. Other notable sites such as Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, and Akshardham also participated, alongside Hauz Khas Fort, Jantar Mantar, and Kotla Firoz Shah. The Safdarjung Tomb, Tughlaqabad Fort, and Sunder Nursery highlighted the significance of collective action for preserving the planet’s resources.