In an attempt to have underprivileged children understand the environment we live and the threats it faces, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has started an initiative called Right to Environmental Education (RTEE) as part of which the organisation will conduct free one-day study tours for several underprivileged children. The tours will be conducted at the Conservation Education Centre (CEC) in Goregaon.
It is an year-long initiative through which the organisation intends to reach out to as many municipal and government aided schools and colleges as possible. Slum communities, housing societies for lower income groups and NGOs working for the welfare of such kids can also get in touch with BNHS officials to participate.
The half-day programme includes a nature trail inside the BNHS Nature Reserve at Goregaon and an audio visual show on "Our Environment" and a module on waste management.
Amandeep Giran, educational officer at BNHS said, "At a time, a total of 50 kids can be accommodated taken in two groups. It is better for schools or NGOs to divide children into age groups of 5-9 years and 10-15 years so that we can explain the topics in a suitable manner."
Giran added that since there will be a lot of children per school, NGO, it would be logistically problematic to take along all of them in one go. However, since the aim is to reach out to as many such children as possible, they will consider organising repeat tours for the same school/NGO/ community.
It is a good news for municipal schools and NGOs that work for the welfare of children from lower income families. Suprabha Raorane, founder of project Suyash that aims at educating children of construction site workers said, "Would really like to take the kids to an educational tour that will teach them something that is the most important part of the lives- environment. Till date I have spoken to them about keeping the surroundings clean and the effects of throwing garbage. This tour will widen their horizon." Raorane is also the advisory board member at Jankalyan Sevashram in Panvel, that works for kids of people who do not have proper jobs.
Kaval Katija who runs an activity centre called August Kranti and teaches kids of rag pickers and construction site workers said, "It is a great initiative by BNHS and will be a good opportunity for such children for whom getting basic education itself is a struggle. For children who have been never exposed to such knowledge and information, nature trail and presentations about the importance of safeguarding the environment will be an excellent learning experience."
Dr Varsha Bhagat of the Education and Training Centre (ETC) of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, in Vashi said, "We conduct educationla tours for children in ETC at regular intervals throughout the year. During the month of December we will be having a go-green theme for our curricular and co-curricular activities. We will thus take the kids for this tour during that time."
For details contact: Ms Amandeep Giran on 9594929107 or send an email on cecbnhs@gmail.com
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