Pooja Hegde on Environmental Responsibility: Start Small and Lead by Example

Bollywood actress Pooja Hegde shared her personal practices and beliefs, emphasizing the importance of small, mindful actions in making a significant difference.

Speaking from her own experiences, during beach green-up drive in Juhu, Pooja said, "I don’t want to give any advice, but what I have done in my life, we might think that small changes won’t make much difference, but I genuinely believe that if we start small, for example, if we use tissue consciously, use bamboo toothbrush, these small things will matter." She elaborated on her personal routine, explaining how she keeps a trash bag in her car to collect all her waste, ensuring she doesn't contribute to road litter. "These are the small things we can do, and if someone throws something on the road, just pick it up. Start with small things."

Pooja also highlighted the importance of reusing and recycling plastics. "You can always use recycled plastic, which has been repurposed," she said. "It is not like I have never held a plastic bag, but you can always reuse the bag again. Using it once and throwing it away – we must avoid that. Try to reuse it again."

Expressing her desire to shift cultural attitudes toward the environment, Pooja emphasized the need to instill these values from a young age. "I would like to change the culture of taking the environment lightly. We shouldn’t take it lightly," she asserted. Pooja believes that teaching children the importance of environmental responsibility is crucial. "If it is a cultural thing with which we are brought up, that this is not what you should do, because habits form by watching your parents do things. We always see our parents and follow, so it’s good to be an example and do it yourself. Kids would just follow you. That’s the most important – teaching your child and doing it yourself, that is where I would start."

Last seen in Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan with Salman Khan, actress Pooja is currently busy wrapping action thriller Deva, also starring Shahid Kapoor.