Srinagar, Apr 24: As many as 5,000 schools from Jammu & Kashmir are participating in the world’s largest environment project “Parayavaran Mitra”
 According to an official communiqué, this programme of Union Ministry of Environment and Forests is being supported by Arcelor Mittal and implemented by Centre for Environment Education (CEE).
 It was a rare moment for the students of High School Dani Sayedan, a remote village in Valley when Centre for Environment Education (CEE Himalaya), a national organization, offered them to become “Paryavaran Mitra” while celebrating World Earth Day in their institution, communiqué said.
 “Parayavaran Mitra is a climate change education programme aimed at creating young friends of environment who are committed to undertake green actions themselves and motivate the community for conservation of environmentally degrading areas. It will involve students of 6-9 standards from 2 million schools in India to be part of green action movement,” it said.
 Urging upon the participants to realistically make every day an Earth Day, the CEE functionary said this Day inspires and mobilizes us to demonstrate our commitment to environment protection and sustainability. He said we should struggle to keep a balance between our energy needs and environment concerns.
 About 250 students along with their teachers joined this international celebration and evinced keen interest in the event. The participants were informed about the Earth Day network and the activities during past 40 years. Students were also informed about the Earth Day network India which is promoting sustainability through education, capacity building and involving youth and women.
 The students were told about the five themes being considered for Paryavaran Mitra action which include–water, energy, waste management, biodiversity, culture and heritage. The students of standard X participated in listing the green actions that they would undertake to become Paryavaran Mitra. They were divided into five groups based on the above 5 themes and in their groups they wrote the individual actions.Exhibiting great enthusiasm towards protecting their environmentally endangered areas, the students and the management pledged to continue Paryavaran Mitra activities in coming years.
 This school was damaged in 2005 earthquake and CEE provided 2 earthquake resistant classrooms with support from Plan India. The CEE is implementing disaster risk reduction and preparedness programmes in 1500 schools in valley with support from Welthungerhilfe.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 24 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 24 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST