The World Wide Fund for Nature – India (WWF-India) is celebrating the convergence of Earth Hour 2025 with World Water Day this year on March 22nd, to emphasise the importance of collective action for the conservation of the planet and its precious water resources. In addition to bringing together millions to Switch Off and create The Biggest Hour for Earth, this year, WWF-India is inspiring individuals to #BeWaterWise in all aspects of their lives—throughout the year.
Dia Mirza, actor and UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador; Shantanu Moitra, celebrated music composer and WWF-India’s Hope & Harmony Ambassador; Viswanathan Anand, Chess Grandmaster and Education Ambassador, WWF-India; Ranveer Brar, Indian celebrity chef; Sudarsan Pattnaik, a world-renowned Indian sand artist and Padma Shri Awardee; Ricky Kej, Grammy-winning Indian musical composer and environmentalist; and Taba Chake, a Nyishi singer-songwriter from Arunachal Pradesh, are among the voices that have joined the world’s largest grassroots environmental movement.
In 2025, participants are encouraged not only to “Switch Off” but also to align with the theme #BeWaterWise, which underscores the importance of water conservation and sustainable practices. In India, where 1.4 billion people share just 4% of the world’s freshwater, the need for action is urgent. Estimates from Wetlands International (WI) indicate that nearly two of every five wetlands in India have lost their natural existence in the last 30 years, while 40% of water bodies have lost quality for the survival of aquatic life. This year’s World Water Day theme,Glacier Preservation, highlights the critical role glaciers play in supporting nearly two billion people who depend on meltwater for drinking, agriculture, and energy. Alarmingly, climate change, accelerated by human activity, caused glaciers to lose over 600 gigatons of water in 2023—the largest mass loss in five decades—contributing significantly to rising sea levels, now 20 cm higher than in 1900.
Sharing his thoughts, Mr Ravi Singh, Secretary-General and CEO of WWF-India, said, “Every year, Earth Hour brings together millions of people across India – and around the world – in a symbolic act of switching off lights for the planet. This year, its alignment with World Water Day has given us an opportunity to drive collective action for water conservation. I thank all our Earth Hour Water Ambassadors, dignitaries and supporters for gracing the Earth Hour Festival and lending their support to this event.”
The Earth Hour Festival 2025, to be held from 2pm to 7pm on March 22 at WWF-India’s Delhi office, will celebrate the #BeWaterWise campaign, combining music, art, architecture, and meaningful discussions on conservation. Renowned musician Shantanu Moitra will share stories from his journey along the Ganga River and perform some songs with Nyishi singer-songwriter Taba Chake from Arunachal Pradesh, who will use music to highlight his community’s connection with nature. An engaging discussion on how water shapes stories and spaces will take place among Tarana Sawhney (Chairperson, Confederation of Indian Industry’s Task Force for Art & Culture), Ratish Nanda (CEO, Aga Khan Trust for Culture India), and Vikramjit Singh Rooprai (author, Delhi Heritage: Top 10 Baolis). The festival will also give a platform to five Water Heroes — community stewards of conservation — who will join government dignitaries and the WWF-India team in conversations on grassroots transformation. An exclusive water-themed art installation made for WWF-India by scrap metal artist Gopal Namjoshi will be unveiled and a special address by Mr Bharat Lal, SG & CEO of National Human Rights Commission, will further enrich the event.
Shantanu Moitra, Hope & Harmony Ambassador, WWF-India, said, “I have been associated with WWF-India and Earth Hour for many years now. But this year’s theme and message of #BeWaterWise are very close to my heart. When I cycled over 2,700 kilometres along the river Ganga, I realised the significance of water conservation. I’m thrilled to be telling some of those tales and performing a few tunes as part of the Earth Hour Festival 2025 on March 22nd at WWF-India.”
Earth Hour 2025 will transcend the symbolic act of turning off lights by encouraging simple actions that help in reducing water footprint, minimising single-use plastics, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions to collectively drive meaningful change.
Actor and environmentalist Dia Mirza said, “Like every year, I’ll be switching off for Earth Hour – not only to join the biggest voluntary movement for the environment, but also to spend an hour doing something positive for nature together with my entire family. This year is doubly special as Earth Hour converges with World Water Day and WWF-India’s message of #BeWaterWise aligns with my philosophy. It’s easy to be water-wise in our daily lives, and every single act of change adds up to leave a big impact on our finite water resources, which face threats from human activity and climate change. It’s a timely campaign for the world’s water flows that sustain all life, and I’m excited to be a part of it!”
Chef Ranveer Brar said, “I’m excited to lend my voice to WWF-India’s Earth Hour 2025 campaign. As a conscious practice, I switch off all non-essential lights every day and especially on this day. This year, its convergence with World Water Day has made the campaign even more meaningful. It’s an opportunity for all of us to commit to preserving our limited resources and conserving the planet. #BeWaterWise is a great initiative, and WWF-India’s suggested actions are so easy to implement, that I hope everyone will take them up.”
Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik reflected on the coming together of the two campaigns, “I have been associated with both Earth Hour and World Water Day for many years. As they converge this year, it’s a timely call for the world to act for the protection of our natural resources. I’m delighted to join this movement and feel that it is my obligation as an artist to add my own strokes to the canvas of conservation.”
2024 witnessed the biggest switch-off yet, with over 250 significant landmarks, monuments, government buildings, educational institutions, and corporates participating across India, making it the Biggest Hour for Earth. The campaign inspired Indians to ‘Give an Hour for Earth,’ collectively contributing 30 years’ worth of positive actions online and offline, earning India the #2 spot on the Global Earth Hour Leader Board. Additionally, the first Earth Hour Festival was hosted by WWF-India to facilitate conservation-themed activities and lifestyle interests.
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