In alignment with our school's goal of nurturing responsible global citizens, Vidya Pratishthan's Vinodkumar Gujar Bal Vikas Mandir organized a week-long **Environmental Awareness Forum** culminating on November 18, 2024. The initiative, led by the school Eco Club, aimed to raise awareness among students about local and global environmental challenges and encourage sustainable lifestyles.
The forum featured expert talks, creative competitions, scientific exhibitions, and hand-on conservation drives. The chief guest for the keynote seminar was Dr. Anil Patil, a renowned environmental scientist and conservationist, who addressed the students on "The Role of Youth in Combating Climate Change."
"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. Small actions like saving a bucket of water daily or planting a single sapling, when multiplied by thousands, create a massive wave of change." — Dr. Anil Patil, Keynote Speaker
Interactive Science & Eco Exhibition
Students from Grades V to X demonstrated their innovation and ecological awareness at the Science & Eco Exhibition. Teams created working models representing rainwater harvesting systems, solar-powered irrigation systems, smart waste segregation bins, and vertical garden setups. The judges commended the students for their deep understanding of the concepts and their focus on low-cost, local solutions.
Tree Plantation & Seed-Ball Drive
A hands-on **Tree Plantation Drive** was carried out on the school premises. Students, guided by the teaching staff, planted over fifty native trees and ornamental shrubs. Additionally, the Eco Club organized a 'Seed-Ball Making Workshop' for primary students, who prepared over 500 clay seed balls containing seeds of native trees to be dispersed in barren land during their upcoming class picnics.
'Say No to Single-Use Plastic' Pledge
To reduce the school's environmental footprint, the Student Council announced a school-wide pledge to completely ban single-use plastics, including plastic bottles, bags, and food wrappers on campus. The school canteen was updated to use paper and leaf-based serving items, and students were encouraged to bring reusable metal or copper bottles and cloth bags.
Poster & Slogan Writing Contest
Primary classes participated in a vibrant Poster and Slogan Writing competition on themes like 'Save Water', 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle', and 'Protect Wild Habitats'. The best entries were displayed in the main corridors to spread the green message daily to all visitors.
The forum concluded with a beautiful street play (Nukkad Natak) performed by Grade VIII students in the school assembly ground, highlighting the threats of soil erosion and river pollution.
