Programme on climate change education takes off in Pune

Former president APJ Abdul Kalam on Sunday launched ‘Paryavaran Mitra’, a sustainability and climate change education programme 2010-13, an initiative by the Centre of Environmental Education (CEE), ArcelorMittal India and the government of
Maharashtra, at the Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (Yashada).

The children chose Kalam as the brand ambassador for the programme, which operates in the four states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Goa.

The former president planted a sapling of ‘Undi’ (Indian Laurel tree) in the garden of Yashada and inaugurated the unique green product project exhibition by the students. The sapling he planted was adopted by three students of DAV Public School, Aundh.

He also launched a book on environment in Braille, besides a tool kit on environment protection. Kalam also interacted with the schoolchildren and said that he was very inspired by Wangari Maathai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.

Sharing his thoughts on environment Kalam said, “Humans generate 30 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. We ourselves will have to cure the problems we create in the environment. So, if you all are good students, you have to plant seedlings and nurture them.”

Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Sudhir Sinha, representative of ArcelorMittal India; Sanskriti Menon, regional centre director of CEE; AK Jha, director of Tribal Research Training Institute; DC Deshmukh, director of state Secondary and Higher Secondary Education; and Satish Awate, regional co-ordinator of
central region of CEE.