In a step towards ensuring ecological sustainability and raising awareness on child rights, a phalanx of green ambassadors across 11 districts of the State along with a dozen NGOs are joining hands to wave a new green movement this year.
With 7,500 children, all aged between 8 and 18 years, already in the network, the NGOs, including the Centre for Humanitarian Assistance Trust (CeFHA), plan to increase its strength to 10,000 by 2017.
At a meeting held here, the ambassadors said they were devising strategies for future initiatives.
Building awareness on child rights, including the third optional protocol to the convention on the rights of the child and environmental rights across the 11 districts —Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Kurnool, Chittoor and Nellore — are some of the future plans charted out by the green ambassadors.
Millet cultivation
“Besides this, we are also promoting greenery in a big way by planting a total of 50,000 saplings by partnering with the Forest Department in each district that comes into our fold. Capacity building for green ambassadors and advocacy campaigns on millet cultivation and environmental issues are the other areas we are focusing on,” says K. Sasi Prabha, director of the local chapter of CeFHA.
Those who have been part of the network say the forum aims at improving the quality of life of rural communities. “Our mission is to involve maximum number of school students in the process, educate them on the impact of climate change and encourage them to come up with their own ideas to reduce carbon footprint,” says Hemalatha, a Class X student from Gottivada.
Nurturing nature
The team members expressed their interest to be part of several initiatives for obvious reasons. “This way, we can utilise the platform to set up an eco club, improve our leadership skills and promote eco-friendly methods to nurture nature,” says Ananda Bharati, another student from Kotauratla.
