HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, June 28: Biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, in collaboration with Samagra Shiksha Assam (SSA), Kamrup Metro, and with support from the Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB), has successfully concluded its pilot initiative, “Pollution Abating Schools in Guwahati”, by felicitating 20 students as Young Eco-Ambassadors for their outstanding contribution to environmental conservation.
The concluding consultation programme was held on June 25 at the National Science Centre, Khanapara, bringing together students, teachers, school administrators, environmental experts and government officials to review the outcomes of the initiative and discuss strategies for expanding similar programmes in the future.
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The project was implemented in Dakshin Beltola High School and Krishna Nagar Vidyapeeth High School with the objective of promoting environmental awareness, pollution abatement practices and sustainable behaviour among school students through education, infrastructure development and student-led environmental action.
Besides honouring 20 Young Eco-Ambassadors, the organisers also awarded 12 students for their outstanding performance in an inter-school essay competition, which attracted participation from 210 students representing schools across Kamrup Metropolitan district.
Throughout the project, Aaranyak conducted baseline and post-intervention Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) assessments, strengthened Eco-Clubs, organised environmental awareness campaigns, cleanliness drives, plantation programmes, biodiversity documentation, wall painting and wall magazine activities, composting demonstrations and behavioural change initiatives focusing on waste management.
Students also participated in drawing and painting competitions, conservation theatre, responsible citizen role-play, waste craft preparation, quizzes, extempore speeches and popular science writing activities aimed at fostering environmental consciousness.
As part of the initiative, waste management infrastructure, including compost pits, waste segregation systems, dry waste collection bins and school gardens, was established in the participating schools to encourage sustainable practices.
The programme was attended by Assam Pollution Control Board Chairman Dr Arup Kumar Misra, former Member Secretary Gautam Misra, Senior Public Relations Officer Kanteswar Kalita and other APCB officials, along with Aaranyak Secretary General and Executive Director Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Arup Kumar Misra stressed the importance of environmental stewardship and urged students to adopt responsible practices for a cleaner and healthier future.
Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar highlighted the need to reduce pollution, promote responsible environmental behaviour and minimise the use of single-use plastics.
Senior Education Officer of the National Science Centre, Premodhar Das, encouraged students to work collectively towards building a sustainable future.
Jayanta Kumar Pathak, Assistant Director and Head In-Charge of Aaranyak’s Environment Education and Capacity Building Division, highlighted the encouraging behavioural changes observed among participating students, particularly in waste segregation, composting, biodiversity conservation and pollution prevention.
The organisers said the pilot project demonstrated the potential of schools as effective platforms for nurturing environmentally responsible citizens and promoting community-level action against pollution.
Aaranyak’s Environment Education and Capacity Building Division, in collaboration with the Eco-Clubs of the participating schools, will continue to support student-led environmental initiatives to ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme.
The event began with a welcome address by Rajarshi Bhattacharjee of the National Science Centre, while Geetashree Sarma presented an analysis of students’ understanding of pollution abatement based on the essays submitted during the competition.
