Environment Service Scheme

The Environment Department, Government of Maharashtra has initiated in 2011 a new scheme called Environment Service Scheme (ESS) for Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools in the state. The objective is to provide students an opportunity to explore and understand their local environment and natural resources, and undertake hands-on activities and action projects for local environmental improvement and conservation. An ESS unit is expected to identify a 3 hour weekly slot for these activities and projects.

The scheme is currently being implemented in 50 schools in 12 districts of Maharashtra, i.e. Nagpur, Chandrapur, Amravati, Yavatmal, Jalna, Aurangabad, Jalgoan, Nashik, Pune, Solapur, Ratnagiri and Thane. Selected schools have identified teachers in charge and made an ESS unit of 50 students. A number of partner NGOs have also been identified who would support the schools with their knowledge especially in the conduct of action projects.

The photo essay page provides a glimpse into the eco-club activities. For more information write to ess@ceeindia.org


Students from Somalwar High School, Khamla, Nagpur, 
interviewed vegetable vendors’ to understand the use 
of polythene bags, disposal of vegetable waste and 
alternatives for polythene bag use.


Students of Dnyanjyot Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Jalna 
visited Krishi Vigyan Kendra to understand the concepts
of soil sampling, plantation, vermi-composting etc that 
provided useful inputs for school activities.

Students of Janata Vidayalya, Dindori, Nashik, made
a detailed resource map of their village by documenting 
the village boundaries, river,road, streams, 
agriculture land, forest, water bodies, hills etc.




Students of Shashank Madhyamik Vidyalaya,Thane, 
engaged in a survey to understand the water, 
sanitation and waste management concerns 
of slum residents.

Students from Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Masod, 
Amravati, undertook plantation around Rajora lake
 to address the settling of stone dust from crushers 
and also to provide food/perches for birds visiting the lake.

Girls from Savitri Kanya Prashala, Ranmhasale, 
Solapur, constructed Vanrai bandhara (bunds) 
across a stream using gunny bags filled with locally 
available soil/sand to help in temporary storage of water 
and increases infiltration.





Photograph Courtesy: Bhimashankar Dhale, Joeb Dawoodi, Jagdish Thakur, Supriya Nishandar, Nandkishor Dudhe, Ganesh Satav

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