SPRINGDALES SCHOOL PUSA ROAD AND DHAULA KUAN Continuing with their mission to inculcate amongst their students a respect and appreciation for environment, Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan and Pusa Road jointly organised a “Two-Day Environment Festival – Hamara Paryavaran”, which was inaugurated by Dr. B. C. Sabat, Senior Sc. Officer/Eco Club Programme Coordinator, Department of Environment, Govt. of Delhi and Ms. Livleen Kahlon, Associate Director, Sustainable Development Outreach and Youth Education, The Energy and Research Institute (TERI).

Enthralled at the workshops, artefacts, presentations and a wide variety of agricultural practises followed at the farm such as composting, paper recycling, gobar gas plant, rain water harvesting etc., Dr. Sabat expressed his desire to invite the Eco Clubs of the government schools of the capital to witness and emulate the novel initiative of Springdales concept of 3A’s : AWARENESS, ACTION, ART which means not only to create awareness to conserve environment but usher in an era of responsible action and create eco-friendly artefacts out of waste materials. In her Vote of Thanks, Dr. Jyoti Bose, Director, Springdales Schools urged on the need “to expose urban children to the rural setup” to inculcate respect for nature.

She highlighted that the need of the hour is to enlighten our children to the various conservation practises being followed at the farm and encourage them to work for a cleaner and greener environment.

For the last 40 years, Springdales Education Society has run an active Environment Programme at its Environment and Work Experience Farm at Chattarpur. The festival is a celebration of the continued involvement of the students of both schools who are taken on regular farm visits where Ms. Rajni Kumar, Chairperson Springdales Education Society is actively involved in orienting children with the flora and fauna and they witness a rural set up, learn and actively participate in a variety of “Hands-on” nature projects. The students of both units took part in the two day festival comprising of various workshops, farm activities and theatre performances related to environment sensitization and sustainable living. Working models and science projects made by the students were put on display for experiential learning.

Mrs. Ameeta Mulla Wattal, Principal, Springdales School, Pusa Road welcomed the Guest of Honour for the Valedictory Function at the Farm, Mr. George C. Varughese, President, Development Alternatives who is a keen environmentalist and deeply committed to the cause of environment. In her address, Mrs. Wattal lauded the efforts of the students for their excellent presentations and hoped that the future citizens would carry on the legacy of Springdales for years to come.

The Festival concluded on a note of optimism with the young crusaders of nature ready to rise high on the wings of determination to save the Planet Earth.