DHARMAPURI : If the first step taken by the district education department becomes a success, government schools in Dharmapuri would have the unique distinction of being a sanctuary for birds.
Monday was World House Sparrow day - a day meant to raise awareness of house sparrows and other birds. The district education department took the onus a step ahead and launched project Palli Saranalaya (School sanctuary), wherein students of all 1,450 schools in the district would be encouraged to create abodes for house sparrows and birds.
World House Sparrow day has been observed since 2010 and conservators take various steps towards creating a safe space for the birds.
Speaking to Express, District Chief Education Officer (CEO), K P Maheshwari, said. “I learnt of this day a few months ago and wondered what we could do about this. It seemed like a good idea to educate and encourage our children about issues concerning the environment.”
On Monday, the CEO inaugurated a facility at the middle school in Gettupatti. Students, with the help of teachers, had set up a sanctuary of sorts. “This will be a continuous process. We have already informed the headmasters about the plan. We are very excited about the idea.” she said.
On Monday itself, similar saranalayas were set up at middle school in Kamaraj Nagar and Primary school in P Kuttur. Education officials said that children would be taught about bird conservation.