How can we save the environment from pollution and global warming? Who is more aware of the environment? And who has been doing what to promote a clean and green environment?
Answering these questions were school children from Delhi, Indore, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar at the ‘Green-I Contest' organised by Carrier India, CII and Indian Green Building Council here this week.
The contest required the students to make presentations on green ideas that could be implemented in schools to make them more environment-friendly. The grand prize of Rs.7.5 lakh will be used by the winners to implement their ideas in their schools.
“There is no better place than a school to promote a better environment,” said one of the contestants showcasing the environment-friendly initiatives that were undertaken by her school.
While some schools debated the merits of bio-gas and organic farming, others chose to screen videos that showed the students of their school doing small things like closing water-taps properly, planting saplings, using e-books instead of paper and not using plastic.
Delhi's Sardar Patel Vidyalaya won the contest with their ideas on implementing measures like electricity conservation, water conservation and waste management. Their presentation also included an audit process to monitor the progress of their project. They were praised by the jury members for their holistic approach and clarity of ideas.
Delhi's Vasant Valley School shared their plans to involve the local community and to work together towards a greener environment. They also made presentations on some green initiatives already taken up by the school, including ‘Green education', implementing changes in their existing buildings to make them environment-friendly, solid waste management, waste water management through a decentralised sewage treatment plant and setting up a green library to help students share knowledge on green practices.
Hyderabad's Aurobindo International School shared their vision for 2030 where through non-formal methods of teaching and sharing ideas of environment preservation their school would eventually become greener. Unfortunately the jury was unable to judge them on their presentation due to a lack of “proper reasoning”.
Indore's Choitram School, on the other hand, prescribed bio-gas plants, spreading awareness about sustainable development, carbon absorbers, and building polyblend and bitumen roads. Concrete ideas about how the prize money would be used in their school were also presented and were applauded by the jurists.
