KOCHI: Guardian Angels School, Mannur, Toc H Public School, Cochin Refineries School, St Sebastian HSS, Anikadu and Ramavarma Union HS, Cherai, will head to Thiruvananthapuram to compete for state-level National Green Corps (NGC) awards.The five were selected from the 25 schools that presented the environmental initiatives undertaken on their campus at a district-level Award Selection Workshop which was organised by National Green Corps (Ernakulam chapter) at District Panchayat Hall in Kakkanad on Monday.The participants exhibited their skills in rainwater harvesting, composting, agriculture, energy conservation, waste management, planting of saplings and conducting cleanliness drives. Former vice-chancellor of Calicut University M K Prasad, Munnar DFO Induchoodan M and the former member of Pollution Control Board D T Thangamani evaluated submissions made by the young nature crusaders. NGC (Ernakulam) co-ordinator S Sitaraman expressed hope for a greener society and said, “The present generation is an informed audience. They are aware of the malaises that threaten the environment. They are already doing their bit to conserve their surroundings. However, as children, they have certain limitations. The onus is on us, the adults, to take these initiatives forward. Preaching is highly overrated, practice ought to be our gospel.”Headmistress of St Sebastian HSS, Anikadu, Sr Sherly Joseph lauded NGC’s initiative. “Since our school was declared as plastic-free zone, our children think twice before littering. Also, they make sure to wrap their lunch in newspapers or carry it in steel boxes. We adopted organic farming in the school and the produce was enough to be a part of the mid-day meals for three months,” she said.District panchayat secretary Abdul Kalam Azad praised children for their genuine interest in environment-related activities. Envisioned by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the National Green Corps has been instrumental in redefining citizens’ responsibility in implementing viable solutions for the problems that plague our immediate surroundings. As the nodal agency for implementing NGC activities in the state, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) has allotted Rs 2500 each to 250 schools in the district to support the activities of eco clubs.The state first prize for best Eco Club will get a cash prize of Rs 10,0000. The district level winner will get Rs 50,000. The awards will be presented to the schools on June 5 by the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
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