1. NGC ACTIVITY REPORT 2008-09

The best way to attempt to bring about a change in the society is through children. They have no vested interests. They are impressionable. They are our future. They are the single most important influence in any family. With the realization, the State Government and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India have launched the Eco-clubs / National Green Corps (NGC) programme in all the districts in Tamil Nadu. At present this scheme is implemented in 40 schools as Eco-club and 250 schools as NGC in each district. Thus, a total on 1200 schools and 7500 schools are with Eco-clubs and NGC now functioning in Tamil Nadu. About 40-50 students are enrolled in each school under this programme and hence about 2.50 lakhs students are participating in the programme making it a massive student movement in the recent times.

OBJECTIVES:

  • To make children understand environment and environmental problems.
  • To provide environmental education opportunities for school children.
  • To utilize the unique position of school children as conduits for awareness of the society at large.
  • To facilitate children’s participation in decision making in areas related to environment & development.
  • To bring children into direct contact with the environmental problems facing the society they live in and make them think of solutions.
  • To involve children in action based programmes related to environment in their surroundings.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:

During the financial year 2008-09 an amount of Rs.2,500/- per school is released to carryout the NGC activities. The total amount released from the MoEF, GoI from the year 2002-2009 is as follows:

Year / Number of Schools / Amount Released
2002-03 / 2885 / 14,42,500.00
2003-04 / 4350 / 43,50,000.00
2004-05 / 4350 / 43,50,000.00
2004-06 / 4500 / 1,12,50,000.00
2006-07 / 7500 / 1,87,50,000.00
2006-07 / 7500 / 1,87,50,000.00
2007-08 / 7500 / 1,87,50,000.00
2008-09 / 7500 / 1,87,50,000.00

Activities carried out by NGC eco-clubs:

  1. Schools Campus Cleaning
  2. Tree planting
  3. Environmental Awareness Rallies
  4. Celebration of at least six green days
  5. Vermi composting
  6. Enviro-expo
  7. Enviro competitions
  8. Anti plastic campaign
  9. Cultural programmes on Environmental Awareness
  10. Nature Camp

Preparation and supply of NGC Manual:

The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India have given guidelines on the NGC functioning. In order to ensure effective functioning of the NGC/ Eco-clubs, the framing of detailed guidelines for the activities to be undertaken systematically has been felt necessary. These guidelines have been framed for minimum 120 hours of activity per year under four major headings:

Orientation

Campus activities

Community activities

Eco-camp activity

A drafting committee was constituted with five experts drawn from the Environmental awareness co-coordinators as follows:-

NGC EXPERT MEMBERS:

Dr. G. Vijayalakshmi, M.Sc. Ph.D.

Prof. of Environmental Science & Co-ordinator,

Tenkasi Educational District,

Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Environmental Sciences,

Courtallam, Tirunelveli District.

Dr. G. Santhanakumar, M.Sc. Ph.D.,

Professor (Retd.) & Co-ordinator

Nagercoil Educational District,

Kanayakumari District.

Dr. B. Rammanohar, M.Sc. M.Ed., Ph.D.,

PG Assistant in Zoology & Co-ordinator,

Pattukkottai Educational District,

Thanjavur District.

Dr. K. Govindarajalu, M.A.B.L., M.Phil, Ph.D.,

Reader in Economics, CBMCollege,

Co-ordinator, Pollachi Educational District,

Coimbatore District.

A. Kumar, M.Sc. M.Phil, M.Ed.,

PG Assistant in Botany & Co-ordinator,

NGC & Eco-club,Hosur Educational District,

Krishnagiri District.

ACTIVITIES OF NGC ECO CLUBS 2008-09:

1. World Environment Day Celebration:

The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy. The WED Day highlighted resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and life-styles, such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption. The WED day's agenda is to give a human face to environmental issues; empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocate partnership, which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

The World Environment Day 2008 was celebrated by the Department of Environment by organizing a rally from the Birla Planetarium to the GuindyNational Park. Dr. N.Sundaradevan, I.A.S., Secretary to the Government, Environment and Forests Department, flagged off the rally. Around 200 students from more than 10 schools participated in this event. Placards stressing on a carbon free environment were carried to highlight the World Environment Day theme for the year 2008 “CO2-Kick the Habit”. Eco club students planted tree saplings in the GuindyNational Park. The Environmental award ceremony was held on 11th June 2008 at St. Mary’s HigherSecondary School, Dindigul. The Environment Minister Hon’ble. T.P. Mohideen Khan, M.L.A., planted a tree sapling and gave away the Environmental awards to the winners for the year 2007.

2. Land Conservation Week:

The Tamil Nadu State Land Use Board (SLUB) and the Department of Environment have jointly organized an awareness campaign on “Scientific management of Natural Resources” on 19th November, 2008 at GuindyNational Park. More than 150 NGC school students from City schools participated along with the teachers and NGC coordinators. Dr. M. Naganathan, Vice Chairman, State Planning Commission & Chairman State Land Use Board inaugurated an exhibition on Global warming and discussed about the impact of thermal / coal based energy and its consequences. There were 10 exhibition posters were prepared on the following themes and exhibited for the school students.

Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity

Carbon Cycle

Source of Carbon dioxide

World Green House gas emission by sectors

Impact of Climate Change

The Green House Effect

Global warming potentials

Man Made sources of Methane

Man Made sources of Nitrous oxide

Rising level of Green House gases

Global Average near surface temperature

Save the Polar Bear

3. Training Programme to Teacher Coordinators:

A one day training programme to teacher coordinators of NGC and Eco club students was organized in the following 6 districts. In each districts 250 teachers and 40 NGC coordinators have participated. The Eco club teachers were trained on various aspects on Environment like Global warming, forest conservation, agricultural issues, pollution control and Environmental education. Experts from various Government departments were made presentations on the above mentioned topics. Dr. R. Annamalai, I.F.S., Director, Department of Environment made a presentation on Global Warming in all the six districts. The Teachers coordinator training programme was funded by MoEF, GoI.

Sl. No. / Date / District / Venue
1. / 7th January / Kancheepuram / Jayagopal Garodia National Higher Secondary School,East Thambaram
2. / 9th January / Tiruvallur / SRM Higher Secondary School, Ambattore.
3. / 12th January / Chennai / Maharishi Vidya Mandir, Chetpet, Chennai
4. / 28th January / Vellore / Government Muslim Higher Secondary School
5. / 29th January / Dharmapuri / Athiyaman Government Boys Higher secondary school
6. / 30th January / Krishnagiri / GovernmentGirlsHigherSecondary school

4. Water Day Celebration:

The Tamil Nadu State Land Use Board (SLUB) and the Department of Environment have jointly organized a Seminar on “Water” to commemorate the world water day celebration on 23rd March, 2009 to create awareness among all the NGC and Eco club coordinators and students. The theme of the Water day for the year 2009 is “Shared Water-Shared Opportunities” This one-day seminar on was organized in the Conference Hall of Forest Department, more than 40 Government Officers, Scientists and representatives from NGO’s and NGC coordinators have participated and presented papers.

5. Wet land day celebration:

The Tamil Nadu State Land Use Board (SLUB) and the Department of Environment have jointly organized a Seminar on “Wet Lands” to commemorate the world wet Land day celebration. The theme of the World wet land day is “Upstream – Down stream: Wetlands connect us All” This one-day seminar on was organized in the Conference Hall of Forest Department, more than 40 Government Officers, Scientists and representatives from NGO’s and Eco club coordinators have participated.

6. Earth Day Celebration:

Department of Environment celebrated the Earth Day in collaboration with ChennaiMuseum, On 7th May,2009. Dr. A. Annamalai, I.F.S., Director, Department of Environment made a presentation on Global warming and its impact to the public. An Environmental exhibition was also organized exhibiting posters on Global warming issues.

7. Biodiversity Day celebration:

The Department of Environment, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board have jointly organized a Seminar on “Invasive Alien Species” to celebrate the International Biological Diversity Day on 22nd May, 2009 in Colin Mackenzi Auditorium, Institute of Remote Sensing, AnnaUniversity, Chennai. The theme of the International Day on Biological Diversity (IBD) for the year 2009 is “Invasive Alien species” (IAS). An Exhibition on “Invasive Alien Species” was inaugurated by Mr. R. Balakrishnan, I.A.S., Chairman, TNPCB. In the exhibition posters on IAS were exhibited along with the live specimens of invasive fishes and plants of Tamil Nadu. The inaugural session, was presided over by Thiru R. Balakrishnan, I.A.S., Chairman, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and Dr. C.K. Sreedharan, I.F.S., Principal Chief Conservator of Forest; Tamil Nadu Forest Department deliver the inaugural address. Dr. R. Annamalai,I.F.S., Director, Department of Environment presented the key note address.

8. NGC Eco Club Activities in Other Districts:

I. Kanyakumari District:

In the Kanyakumari District, ENVIRO Expo, the Exhibition on “Our Earth-Our Future” was organized by NGC ECO Club on 14th March, 2009 at Thuckalay and Kuzhithurai. More than 35 schools participated in the exhibition and 134 students took part in various environmental competitions. Environmental Camp for the year 2008-09 was conducted in Udayagiri Fort, Puliyurcurichi on 18th March 2009 for the NGC Ecoclub students. The Kanyakumari Eco Club Coordinator and Ecoclub students have participated in All India Radio programme on 3rd, 10th and 17th April 2009.

II. KancheepuramDistrict:

In the Kancheepuram District, Environmental Awareness competition was organized on 27th February 2009 at GovernmentGirlsHigherSecondary school, Uthramarur. More than 16 schools participated in drawing, painting, Elocution and quiz competitions.

III. Ramanathapuram District:

In the Ramanathapuram District, environmental awareness activities were carried out in all the140 schools. In all the NGC Eco club schools, Ozone day, World Environment day, water day, wetland day and earth day were observed. Eco campus initiatives like solid waste management, green belt development, rain water harvesting system were also implemented in these schools. Ozone day and Wetland day was conducted at Ramanathapuram District by the Environmental Awareness co-coordinator on 16th September 2008 and 2nd February 2009.

  • World Environment Day was celebrated at Ramanathapuram district on 5th June, 2008 at PanchayatUnionMiddle School, Kamudhi.
  • KNG. Higher secondary school has implemented vermin-compost pit in the school premises and developed kitchen garden using the NGC eco club students. They have also organized cultural programmes and awareness programmes for the school students.
  • World Water day, WorldForest day and Environmental Awareness Rally were conducted at PanchayatUnionMiddle School, Ervadi, Ramanathapuram District.
  • A seminar on the importance of tree plantation was organized in DONBOSCOMatriculationSchool, Paramakudi on 20th February 2008.
  • In GovernmentHigherSecondary school, Killiyur NGC students actively participated in campus cleaning and participated in the environmental campaign.

IV. Pudukkottai District:

In the Pudukottai district, an Eco-tour was organized for the NGC students on 13th March 2009 to Forest Extension Centre to teach the students about tree plantation and its importance, students have learned more about herbal garden and the importance of medicinal plants. The NGC students were exposed to vermin composting technique and the production of vermi-compost in the forest extension centre.

V. Theni District:

In Theni district environmental competition were organized for all the NGC eco club students during January for the class VI, VII, VIII, IX and X students.

VI. Virudhu Nagar District:

In Virudhu Nagar District, Elocution competition was conducted for NGCSchool students at Arupukottai on 12th March 2009, nearly 250 students participated. Similarly in Virudhunagar environmental competition was organized for 185 students. An Eco tour was organized to Courtalam, for 71 school students and the school teachers.

VII. Thrichy District:

In KalavapatiPanchayatMiddle School, Trichy. NGC school students were grouped as Water Group (Blue Group), Land Group (Green Group), Air (Orange group), Energy (Yellow group), and solid waste Management (Pink). These groups under take activities on the above mentioned theme and observed all the important environmental days. Eco competitions were organized among these groups and prizes were distributed. World Environment day, Ozone day and School campus cleaning was conducted at St. Therasa High School, Thrichy District.

In the Panchayat Union Middle School, Kuruvampatti, Mannachanallur union, Thrichy NGC school students were grouped as Water (Blue Group), Land (Green Group), Air (Orange group), Energy (Yellow group), and solid waste Management (Pink) and they have observed world Environment day (June 5th), Land Resource Day (October5th), wild life week (October 1st to 7th) and National Pollution control day on 2ndDecember2008. Competitions were organized among students and the winners were awarded prizes.

In the GovernmentHigherSecondary School, Omandhur, Environmental rally was organized to celebrate the World Environment Day on 05th June, 2008. Eco competitions like Essay Writing, Drawing competitions were organized and trees were planted inside the campus, similarly WED was organized in GovernmentHigherSecondary School, Oottathur.

In LalgudiGovernmentHigherSecondary School, Orientation talk to students and Teachers of National Green Corps was organized during the WED celebration. Environmental contest for the Eco club students like Elocution on Our Earth – Our Future, Drawing and Painting competitions were organize. The winners were awarded with Tree seedlings.

VIII. CuddaloreDistrict:

In the Girls higher secondary school, Vadalur has organized a one day eco camp to Pichavaram to teach the students about the Mangrove vegetation in the coastal areas in the Cuddalor district. Students have identified 20 types of mangrove species and and identified different flora and faunal species available in the coastal areas. Students were also taught about the scientific aspect of mangroves and its importance and problems associated with mangrove conservation. Similarly WED celebration was organized in Neyveli on 16th December, 2008.

IX. Sivagangai District:

Eco-camps, Eco-competition, WorldForest day were conducted by Environmental Awareness coordinator at Sivagangai District.

X. Perambalur District:

In the Government Higher Secondary School, Thirumazhapadi,

Perambalur District Eco-camp, Eco-competition was organized by the Environmental Awareness on 14th March 2009, 45 school students and 15 school teachers have participated.

XI.Pudukottai District:-

Eco-camp, Eco-competition, Tree plantation and Environmental Awareness Rally was conducted by Environmental Awareness coordinator at Pudukottai District.

XII. Toothukudi District:

In GovernmentHigherSecondary School, Villichery, Tuticorin District eco contest was organized on 24th March, 2009. Drawing Elocution, Quiz contest and Exhibition were organized. In St. Ignatius Higher Secondary School, Innaciarpuram,Tuticorin District. Tree Planting Programme was conducted on 14th March, 2009. They have created awareness during World Earth Day, Water Day and World Forestry Day.

XIII. Erode District:

In Erode District, The NGC Eco club activities have been carried out in 76 schools. The activities carried by the NGC eco clubs are solid waste management, campus cleaning, antiplastic rally, tree plantation, exhibition, Eco-tour and environmental competitions, Bogi Pongal and Environment day celebration. In the month of February, all the NGC students participated in the competitions organized at Government Higher secondary school, Avalpoondurai.In GovernmentGirlsHigherSecondary School, Erode district. Environment Awareness Rally was conducted on 5th June, 2008 and the WED was observed on 5th June, 2008.

The following Annexure have been included in the NGC Report:

  1. Photograph Plates
  1. World Environment Day celebration -2008
  2. World water Day celebration-2009
  3. World wetland Day celebration -2009
  4. Biodiversity Day -2009
  5. NGC Awareness Activities district wise paper clippings
  1. Paper Clippings
  2. World Environment Day celebration -2008
  3. World Water Day celebration – 2009
  4. World Wetland Day celebration - 2009
  5. Biodiversity Day – 2009
  6. NGC Awareness Activities

3. District wise List of schools involved in NGC activities (30 Districts)

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