Environment Stewardship Programme

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 On October 20th, 28 students from our Environment Stewardship Program had an enriching experience at Maharashtra Nature Park, led by Ms. Sarita Achrekar. The students explored the local flora and fauna, learning about the importance of sustainable living and biodiversity.

From observing native plants and birds to discovering fascinating insects, the students gained a deeper understanding of ecological balance and how sustainable practices can be integrated into our daily lives.

 We’ve now entered the final stage of our project, set to conclude next month. 

     On 29th September, as part of our Environmental Stewardship Program at SGNP Khindipada, 43 students visited Ranibaug Zoo for an enriching experience. Led by Ms. Gauri Gurav, Ms. Sushila Raddy, Mr. Sabir, and volunteer Ms. Neha Patil, the students learned about compassion for animals and wildlife conservation. This visit deepened their understanding of the importance of respecting and caring for all living beings. Together, we are fostering a future rooted in empathy and action.  

     On 11th August, as part of our Environmental Stewardship Program at SGNP Khindipada, we hosted an exciting Insect Day Camp for 10 enthusiastic children from Palas Pada. Under the expert guidance of Ms. Priti Choghale, the kids explored the park and discovered a variety of insects, including the stick insect, jewel bug, tortoise shell beetle, and carpenter bee. The highlight of the day was the woolly bear moth caterpillar! It was a wonderful day of discovery and learning, deepening their appreciation for our rich biodiversity. 

On 7th July, as part of our Environmental Stewardship Program at SGNP Khindipada, 11 children from the Environmental Stewardship Programme in Phanaspada embarked on an exciting forest exploration. They discovered various wild vegetables and learned sustainable harvesting techniques, such as plucking only the leaves to preserve the plants. The children then transformed their foraged ingredients into delicious dishes, creating a fun and educational experience. This activity allowed them to connect with nature, develop new skills, and appreciate the process of sustainable living.

    On 16th June,  

 As part of our Environmental Stewardship Program at SGNP Khindipada, we distributed 20 fruit plant saplings, including custard apple, guava, chikoo, white jamun, lemon, cherry, and mulberry. 

The event saw an impressive turnout of 20 enthusiastic children accompanied by their parents, supported by our 6 dedicated volunteers. It was heartening to witness the children's excitement as they received their potted saplings, eager to take them home and care for their new plants. They departed armed with valuable plant care tips, determined to nurture their saplings into thriving fruit-bearing trees.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our amazing volunteers—Aman, Nirmal, Luksh, Nandini, Simran, and Nimisha. Your hard work and unwavering dedication were instrumental in making this event a resounding success. We deeply appreciate everything you do to support our initiatives!

    On 22nd May,  

We commemorated International Day of Biodiversity at SGNP Khindipada with a rich array of activities as part of our Environmental Stewardship Program. The event featured a captivating nature trail, an engaging energy audit activity, and an enlightening sustainable living workshop. Nineteen enthusiastic children and eight dedicated interns participated wholeheartedly.

During the event, we imparted essential lessons on the significance of reducing resource consumption and adopting sustainable living practices. The children gained a deeper understanding of the critical role nature plays in our lives and learned practical ways to contribute to its preservation. The activities were not only educational but also enjoyable, leaving the participants with valuable insights.

As part of our initiative, we distributed kitchen garden vegetable planters to encourage the children to grow their own vegetables sustainably. The response was overwhelmingly positive—participants expressed enthusiasm for learning how to optimize resources and emphasized the importance of nature conservation. They even proposed installing garbage bags in their community to minimize waste in the pada, showcasing their commitment to environmental responsibility.

    On 22nd April, We celebrated Earth Day with a profound clean-up drive at SGNP Mulund! The event saw 15 dedicated participants from our Environmental Stewardship Programme enthusiastically diving into action. Beyond just clearing litter, they engaged in an educational session on recycling water bottles into planters for microgreens like mini fenugreek, showcasing their commitment to sustainability. Witnessing their eagerness to learn and adopt eco-friendly practices was truly inspiring, especially as we gear up to establish a Community Kitchen Garden in Palaspada next month. The atmosphere was vibrant as we distributed materials and shared knowledge, fostering a genuine celebration of environmental stewardship among all involved.   

   On 10th March, a captivating nature trail guided 30 participants through enchanting outdoor beauty, gathering natural specimens for creative projects, followed by a brainstorming session where aspirations for cleaner neighborhoods were shared. Imaginative posters depicting lush landscapes and community dreams were presented eloquently in a formal session. Then, on 17th March, 35 children united for a community clean-up, collecting 45 kg of plastic waste in just an hour!  Trash bags were distributed to facilitate the collection of dry waste from every household, demonstrating our commitment to responsible waste management and environmental preservation. This initiative also aimed to raise awareness about waste segregation among the community children, fostering a culture of sustainability and eco-consciousness for a cleaner, greener future. Dr. V. Shubhalaxmi also took the opportunity to educate the children about the detrimental effects of improper waste disposal and plastic pollution.  

 On February 18th, 24 enthusiastic tribal children from Khindipada actively participated in a clean-up drive and seed ball making activity at our project site within Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Equipped with backpacks, field journals, pen and pencil sets, tiffin boxes, water bottles, field dresses, and caps, these young eco-warriors embraced their roles as guardians of nature. Their infectious enthusiasm fueled the nature walk and clean-up drive as they eagerly collected plastic bottles, demonstrating their commitment to a cleaner environment. Together, our team and the kids explored nature’s beauty, cleaned up our surroundings, and learned about waste segregation and recycling. The energy-packed children shone brightly as they made over 260 seed balls, contributing to nature and the environment. These seed balls, will be planted during the monsoon, symbolizing hope and growth for the future.

 On January 21, 2024, the iNaturewatch Foundation and the Forest Department of Khindipada collaborated to organize a memorable educational trip to Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Borivali as part of the Environment Stewardship Programme. A group of 43 excited children and 34 enthusiastic parents from Khindipada embarked on a day filled with exploration and learning. The adventure began at the Nature Interpretation Centre (NIC), where interactive exhibits introduced the young minds to the park's rich biodiversity. An enlightening movie further immersed them in the wonders of SGNP's flora and fauna. The highlight of the day was a thrilling jungle safari guided by the Forest Department's experts, allowing the participants to witness lions and tigers roaming freely in their natural habitat. . Engaging activities and hands-on experiences made the learning process impactful and unforgettable. The trip to SGNP was a resounding success, providing Khindipada children with a unique and educational experience. 

We organized a nature trail and hands-on activity for creating bird feeders and bird homes. Thirty-two enthusiastic children actively participated in this engaging event. The nature trail provided the young participants with an opportunity to explore the biodiversity of the project site, fostering a deeper connection with nature. The hands-on activity for creating bird feeders and bird homes added a creative and educational element to the program, encouraging the children to actively contribute to wildlife conservation. This initiative not only promoted environmental awareness but also instilled a sense of responsibility and appreciation for the diverse ecosystems within the Khindipada community. 

We  commenced our year-long Environmental Stewardship Programme (ESP) tailored for Vulnerable Communities in Khindipada, Mulund. Launched on December 9, 2023, this initiative is a result of a heartening collaboration with the state forest department. The Khindipada community witnessed a special launch program, featuring insights from Dr. V Shubhalaxmi and valuable addresses from BMC officials on Solid Waste Management. In a bid to promote a cleaner environment, BMC distributed waste dustbins throughout the community, encouraging residents to actively engage in minimizing local litter. Furthermore, we organized a vibrant mask-making activity, not only fostering creativity among children but also highlighting the importance of sustainable practices. The event saw a total of 30 participants, marking the beginning of a comprehensive effort to enhance environmental awareness and stewardship in the Khindipada community.