Schoolchildren spread awareness on environment

Tribune News service

Dehradun, April 28

In a bid to raise awareness about cleanliness and civic sense, 10 boys and 10 girls from classes III to V studying at Adroit Progressive School in Dalanwala area went out into the community to interact with local residents. The children had made colourful handmade cards with messages about using dustbins, protecting Mother Nature and the importance of having clean surroundings.

Accompanied by school teachers Jaspreet Bora and Suchitra Bahuguna along with Waste Warriors CEO Jodie Underhill, they distributed the cards amongst the general public and went door-to-door appealing to the residents of Dalanwala to take pride in their community.

At one house, an elderly lady was burning garbage and the children told her how harmful it was to the environment and their health and urged her not to do it again. Jodie Underhill put out the fire and requested that the garbage be given to the Nagar Nigam for proper disposal.

On sighting a large pile of garbage dumped on Mohini Road the children set about finding the culprits by asking local residents if they had any information. It was reported that the rickshaws that collect the waste door-to-door regularly empty their rickshaws on the road instead of emptying them at the container at Balbir road. A local resident informed the children that residents living nearby also added to the pile and that the area had been used as a dumping place for many years. Only one person refused to come and speak with the children, the house directly next to dumping zone. Waste Warriors staff are now removing the dumped waste from there on a daily basis as part of the Dalanwala Transformation Project.

She said: “Working with the children today has been an amazing experience. Despite being very young they have so much knowledge about the environment and how our actions impact it. They spoke with passion, were polite and well behaved and did their school proud. People are much more receptive to advice when it comes from children and it’s a very effective way of spreading awareness.”