Schools awarded for work on environment

Green appreciation

''We have planted so many saplings in our school.'' ''We have developed a large park next to our school.''

The environment-related list was long, letting students forget everything else related to school life for some time. The only thing that mattered was working in favour of a green environment.

Several schools from all over the six taluks of the district participated in the Environment-friendly School Award ceremony, organised by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) at the Satya Sai Loka Seva Trust auditorium in Muddenahalli on Friday.

Twenty-one schools from the district were awarded during the programme, co-sponsored by the Department for Public Instruction and Environment Research Centre, Shimoga.

Students of most schools had planted saplings, watered the plants, and even developed parks with guidance from teachers. A sense of pride in the fruits of their labour was evident among the children, who applauded when representatives of their schools spoke about the environment-friendly work carried out by them.

A S Sadashivaiah, chairman of the KSPCB reminded about the increasing levels of pollution and the problems people faced because of them. “In the backdrop of such circumstances, it is the duty of everyone to show concern towards saving the environment and work to protect it,” he said.

Sadashivaiah said development of a beautiful environment requires effort and cooperation from all quarters.

Deputy Commissioner Dr N Manjula said creating awareness about environment has become inevitable to prevent a darker future.

Gangapura Government Lower Primary School of Hunasenahalli cluster in Shidlaghatta taluk won the first prize for being environment-friendly. A certificate, trophy and cash prize of Rs 20,000 were given. Ten schools were presented the green school award along with Rs 2,000 cash prize, certificate and trophy. Ten other schools were presented the orange school award with Rs 1,000 each as cash prize, a certificate and a trophy.

Kolar

The Kodihalli Government Kannada Lower Primary School of Bangarpet taluk was presented the ‘Environment-friendly School’ award at a ceremony at the T Chennayya Rangamandira on Saturday.

A S Sadashivaiah, chairman of the KSPCB, presented the awards to the teachers and students of the School.

Consolatory awards were presented to 20 other schools.
Prof A S Chandrashekhar, Research Centre deputy chairman, said 40 schools from all over the district had registered their names for the award. “Experts from KSPCB and the Research Centre visited the schools and shortlisted 21 schools. Of these schools, the Kodihalli Government Kannada Lower Primary School was found to be the most environment-friendly,” he said and added that 10 other schools from the district were given ‘Green School’ and 10 schools were presented the ‘Orange School’ awards.

Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar Meena, who spoke on the occasion, said the Centre was presenting the awards since five years. “This is the first time, however, that they are presented to schools in Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts. Every school that won the various awards is worthy of appreciation,” he added.