The approach the programme adopts is to provide
opportunities to students to understand and
improve the environment in their communities.
The key features of the CLEAN-India programme are:
1.
Systematic environmental quality assessment by
a network of schools supported by NGOs and validated by
government and research institutions.
Students of member schools are trained on scientific
skills for monitoring the environment quality,
which is done using field-based kits called
Jal-TARA (for testing water quality) and
Pawan-TARA (for testing air quality).
These are effective tools that enable students to
put into practice in real life conditions, the theoretical
aspects of chemistry that are learnt in the classroom.
Both the kits are developed by Development Alternatives.
This empowers them to learn more about the quality of
the environment and use their findings to create or
demand solutions. A large number of children across
the country are already involved in regular monitoring and
generation of data on local environmental quality.
Similarly, systematic plans for monitoring other
environmental attributes such as Herbal Treasures,
Birding, Energy, Food Adulteration, Eco Consumerism/
Campaigns, noise pollution, Bio-Diversity etc. are going
on.
2.
The second component of the programme is to
generate awareness among the communities and other
sections of the society. The key features are:
·
Projection
of
assessed data to generate awareness and mobilize community
members to initiate environmental improvement actions.
· Bringing
the data to the notice of the local authorities /
Pollution Control Boards for necessary action.
· Students
spearheading campaigns of local relevance to enthuse
local communities to change their attitudes. Highly
successful campaigns against polybags,
immersing idols made with non environment friendly
material, bursting of
crackers during festivals like Diwali, using
toxic colours during Holi festival have been
spearheaded.
3.
The third component of the programme is advocacy
with the collective efforts of NGOs and local government.
This phase focuses on:
· Involving
students and NGOs to convince civic agencies to
take action against the degradation of their cities'
environment.
· Involving
local authorities to bring about changes in policy
and filing of Public Interest Litigations (PIL).
· Introducing
best management practices that will improve the
environmental quality.
4.
Environmental assessment, awareness and advocacy culminate
in community initiated action for environmental
improvement. This phase focuses on:
· Involving
school groups and community members to improve their local
environmental conditions. Depending on the local problems,
students initiate various programmes such as
solid waste management including vermicomposting,
tree plantation, creation of herb corners,
energy conservation,
paper recycling, stream cleaning,
simple water treatment methods, rain water
harvesting...
· Involving
research and educational organizations in finding
solutions to local problems identified by the CLEAN
group.
CLEAN-India has been able to reach out to and nurture
thousands of students to become environmentally aware and
active. The enthusiasm, conviction and dedication with
which these students participate in environment
improvement activities indicate that they will definitely
tread softly on earth and as adults will make decisions
that will go a long way in protecting the environment.
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