As part of involving more students in the huge task of nature conservation, the East Godavari River Estuarine Ecosystem (EGREE) Foundation is focusing on opening nature clubs in educational institutions, and conducting programmes like nature walk to sensitise youngsters about flora and fauna.
After the successful launch of the first Nature Club in P.R. Government College here, the foundation has shifted its focus towards technical educational institutions and roped in the University College of Engineering of the JNTUK and several educational institutions affiliated to the technological university.
Ensuring a decrease in the environmental degradation by raising awareness on ecological sensitivity is the major objective of the nature clubs, which will also enable students to work as teams and share their ideas on a platform. “We are not going to confine the club’s services only to the colleges, but will involve the students of various schools in the days to come,” says Sivanath Yendamuri, communication and outreach specialist of the EGREE Foundation.
GuidelinesThere are certain guidelines set up by the foundation to open the club. The club meetings should preferably always be held in the same place and it should not be like a classroom. There should be enough space for role plays, display and spread of material.
“Our aim is to make students speak about the issues. They can air their views freely only when the environment is friendly,” explains Mr. Sivanath. If the club’s activities are planned before the beginning of the academic year, it is easier to accommodate them, he points out. The foundation is providing financial help to the clubs to conduct awareness programmes on nature conservation, besides conducting nature walk to different places.
“In the club opened in our college, 20 students from the zoology section are active members. They are participating in all programmes of the EGREE Foundation and they are said that they would continue their association with the foundation even after completion of their academics,” says M. Satyanarayana, principal of the PR Government College. “Nature walks and interactions with experts are enabling our students get firsthand information about rare species and plants,” he explains.
