New Delhi, 28 March. The famous India Gate of the national capital New Delhi will become dark between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm on Saturday night. This is part of Earth Hour 2026. This is an initiative started for our environment. Under this, unnecessary lights are switched off for one hour to increase awareness of people and organizations about climate change and environmental sustainability.

20th anniversary of Earth Hour global movement

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Earth Hour global movement, which was celebrated under the theme ‘Give an Hour for the Earth’. It emphasizes what we can do together for our planet. Earth Hour, organized annually by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), began in 2007 as a symbolic ‘lights-off’ event in Sydney. It has since become one of the most popular grassroots environmental efforts throughout the world. It brings together millions of people, businesses and monuments in more than 190 countries and territories.

Appeal to keep non-essential lights off during stipulated period

In anticipation of the event, authorities across India have appealed to people to switch off non-essential lights and electrical appliances during the one-hour event. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in Hyderabad has appealed to the people to actively participate in Earth Hour 2026 by switching off non-essential lights from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm on Saturday to reinforce the message of caring for the environment.

GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan appealed to people to consider this symbolic act as more than just a way to save energy. He said, ‘Every little thing matters. By giving just one hour to the Earth, we can bring about positive change and contribute towards a sustainable future.’ Their appeal reflects the larger purpose of Earth Hour, which encourages people, communities and organizations to think about their environmental impact and aim for sustainability.

Famous landmarks, public spaces and homes across India and the world will participate in the symbolic switch-off, drawing attention to the need for climate action and protection of natural resources.

Last year, famous buildings like India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan and other national monuments also participated in Earth Hour, further strengthening the importance of this campaign in the country. Environmental experts say that Earth Hour is not only a symbolic gesture but also a reminder of the shared responsibility to deal with climate change. This includes supporting policies and practices ranging from reducing energy consumption to protecting ecosystems and reducing carbon emissions.