It was a field day for the students taking shelter in the social welfare residential schools in the city, as they spent their weekend in the serene environs of the woods at Maredumilli. Over 200 students from 12 welfare hostels, accompanied by their teachers, went on a forest tour organised jointly by the Forest department and the Andhra Pradesh National Green Corps (APNGC).
They visited the Vali Sugreeva Medical Plants Conservation Area. They spent the whole day amidst the huge trees, waterfalls and coffee gardens playing games and participating in several competitions.
The programme was designed in such a way that it was a blend of education and entertainment, where students enjoyed learning the academics, besides understanding the importance of protecting the nature.
It was a first hand learning experience for the children to know in detail about several herbs and various animals living in the forest area.
“We have taught them the importance of protecting the environment by using hand puppets. Many children evinced interest in learning the puppetry as well,” said Pilli Govindarajulu, noted puppetry trainer, who took part in the day-long nature camp.
The meditation and pyramid performances by the students of Kontangi Kothuru Mandal Parishad School enthralled the audience, while a good number of children actively took part in the painting competitions.
‘Protect nature’
State project officer of the APNGC G. Satyanarayana highlighted the need for improving sacred groves in the forest areas to protect the herb varieties that were on the verge of extinction, while the district coordinator of the organisation Kesari Srinivasa Rao advised the children to create awareness among their parents about the importance of improving the green cover.
