NET, IAS, State-SET (KSET, WBSET, MPSET, etc.), GATE, CUET, Olympiads etc.: Science and Technology Green School Revolution

Get top class preparation for competitive exams right from your home: get questions, notes, tests, video lectures and more- for all subjects of your exam.

Green School Revolution

  1. Environment education is an essential dimension of basic education focused on a sphere of interaction that lies at the root of personal and social development.
  2. There is an urgent need to create awareness about the significance of carbon footprint among the public, especially among students, through the mass media and also the school curriculum. The concept of Green School Revolution (GSR) could go a long way in this direction in which school children could be expected to venture out and take up tasks that make them aware of the environmental problems of today. Students may also be encouraged to compile information on areas such as water and energy usage. An analysis of such information, apart from giving them an idea of the magnitude of the problems, would also motivate them to come up with solutions.
  3. The major thrust areas of Green School Revolution programme are:
    1. Assessment of polluting sources locally.
    2. Development of best and standard practices.
    3. Pupils-cum-youth awareness.
    4. Intensifying public awareness of environment including water, air, soil quality, waste, management, and efficient energy use for the sustainable growth of our country.
    • Strategies:
  4. Water audit: Fresh water consumption in India is increasing rapidly for industrial and domestic purposes. In this situation, conservation of energy is an important practice that we need to follow in our daily life. Water audit seems important in this context. The basic objective would be to help students understand the monetary costs of water and environmental impact of water.
  5. Energy Audit: Energy conservation is a matter of vital importance to all of us. With rapid industrialization, urbanization and changing life styles our per capita energy consumption is increasing irreversibly. While those with access are enjoying all comforts, there are people at the grassroots to fulfil their basic needs. Energy Audit, therefore, could be a step in the right direction.
  6. Land Audit: The major objective of this task is to familiarize students with land usage, calculation of percentage of green cover in the area, plant and animal species supported by the school ecosystem and the use of pesticides/insecticides to control pests by the school and also to assess open area/field available in the school that can be used for reforestation in the future.
  7. Waste Audit: Most schools face the problem of waste management, which not only affects school health but also affects the school ecosystem in particular and the surrounding environment in general. So assessing the quantity of solid waste (biodegradable/non biodegradable) and e-waste could be of significant importance for the school. It will also encourage schools to come up with their own waste disposal plans.
  8. Awareness generation: Student awareness and awareness of institutional stakeholders play a crucial role in managing available natural resources. School-based activities like poetry reading/writing, slogan writing, story and essay writing, plays, skits, poster making, interviews and surveys, and integrating radio and TV programmes on environmental issues will act as catalyst for general environmental awareness.
  9. Eco clubs, DNA clubs, VIPNET clubs are government initiatives for schools.
  10. The need of the hour is to replicate this movement across the length and breadth of our country to ensure a stronger, bolder and resurgent green India in the 21st century. Courtesy: Science Reporter