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

Western Ghats Eco Club Scheme

The ‘Special Eco-club Scheme for the Western Ghat region of Maharashtra’ has been initiated by the Environment Dept, Govt of Maharashtra. It aims to enhance understanding about natural and cultural heritage, to inculcate conservation values, and to promote positive actions by school children in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra. The Scheme reaches schools in the 63 talukas from the 12 districts of Maharashtra that have whole or part of their area within the Sahyadris.

The school activities under the Scheme include exploration of biodiversity and cultural heritage, energy conservation, solid waste management, and sharing of experiences and outreach activities through eco-club festivals. Some glimpses of the same are shared below.

For more information write to sahyadri@ceeindia.org

Students from Kolheshwar Madhyamik Vidyalaya, 

Tandudwadi-Mangalapur, Satara are maintaining a 

composting unit to procure organic manure for use 

in nursery at school.

On a field visit, the students of Little Flower 

English Medium school Morewadi, Kolhapur, 

stop to observe the nesting behavior and 

role of termites in nature.

Students from Vaman Govind Patwardhan High 

school, Pochari, Ratnagiri testing drinking water 

quality by H2S strip test. The findings mostly 

showed fecal contamination which was shared 

with the villagers and a plan developed to 

avoid the same.

Monsoon season brings about many seasonal flowers 

with it. The eco-club members from Jilha Parishad 

Shala, Kalamvihira, Jawahar, visited area near 

school to identify and document these monsoon herbs 

and wild vegetables.

As an alternate to plastic, students of Jijamata 

girls High School Satana, Nashik, promote articles 

prepared from paper pulp that is made from paper 

waste generated in school.

Students of Agasti Junior College, Akole have “hands on” 

session on grafting. The schools plans to propogate 

and conserve local varieties of Mango, Jackfruit, Jamun, 

Ber, Sapota and Tamarind by this method. 

Photograph Courtesy: Rajashri Injamuri, Suhas Waingankar, Shruti Kulkarni, Praveen Thete, Mohamad Hanif, Baswant Dhumane