GUNTUR: In a bid to create awareness among the students about the importance of greenery and hygiene and to bring the pollution levels in the cities under control, Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) in association with AP Green Core and Centre for Environment Education (CEE) started ‘eco clubs’ in the schools in the city. As many as 107 ‘eco clubs’, each consisting of 15 to 50 students, were started in the schools across Guntur. The team is also conducting training classes to select students and teachers.
The training is given on methods to convert waste material into usable products like dolls and paper items.
GMC presently stands in 118th position in Swachh Bharat rankings and the officials are aiming to improve the rank through better performance in cleanliness in future.
Green pride among school eco-clubs
MSc Environmental Science student and CEE coordinator T Vijaya said that they are giving training to students on how to convert waste into usable products. She said that the team is also planning to form clubs in the entire district to create awareness among the students about environment friendliness.
CEE Project Officer P Madhusudana Reddy said that they aim to create awareness among the students on four points - clean surroundings, personal hygiene, water usage and water management so as to preserve water for future generations. He said the pollution levels are increasing abnormally in the cities and hence the CEE camps and training classes will help students to help future generations to have an environment-friendly life. AP Green Core District Coordinator D Tirupati Reddy said that eco teams were formed in about 107 schools in the city while some schools and colleges have started eco clubs with 15 to 50 students. GMC has identified 200 schools and colleges in Guntur to form teams.
Catch them young
The officials are also planning to motivate the students through teachers and other social organisations, which are actively involved in planting of saplings and are spreading awareness on the need for improving greenery. GMC is planning to conduct two-hour specials camps and workshops, on clean environment, every month in every school and college in the city.
Eco club time!
Students of schools in BR Stadium, Konda Venkataiah Colony, Sita Mahalakshmi Colony, Koritapadu, Balaji Nagar area and municipal corporation schools are participating in a plantation drive in Guntur. AP Green Core representatives are seeking the involvement of students to create awareness among the public on the need to have a pollution-free environment and to inspire people to plant saplings on the premises of their houses.