In today’s time, education about nature and sustainability has become a necessity for the long-term growth of the children and their successful future. To build a resilient and positive environment for children and young people, it has become crucial to connect them to nature. With a focus on building environmental awareness and knowledge, developing the requisite capacity & skills and enabling action for conservation,WWF-India in Assam launched their whole school programme – Ek Prithvi, in 2016. The programme has reached out to 11 states and empowered over 145,200 students since. During the pandemic, Ek Prithvi went digital with “One Earth One Home” and touched millions of students in 16 States/UTs in 10 languages. The digital resources are available on the MHRD’s online portal, DIKSHA. In Assam, OEOH digital program reached to all districts of Assam with support from Dept. of Elementary Education, SSA Govt. of Assam.Ek Prithvi Assam program with 10 schools of Morigaon district started in 2019 in partnership with SCERT, Government of Assam. Some of the School Estate development activities such Solid Waste Management – Composting, Kitchen garden are carried out in partnership with Earthful Foundation.
WWF India AAPSO launched Ek Prithvi short movie showcasing impact and stories across the country and inaugurated the Ek Prithvi Model School Activity Room at Lokapriya GNB Secondary School, Pobitora, Morigaon District of Assam on 22nd Feb 2022. Buli Gogoi Bhuyan- District Elementary Education Officer Morigaon District (DEEO), Smt. Nandita Sarma, Senior Lecturer DIET Morigaon & Nodal Officer Ek Prithvi program. Nayanjyoti Das, Forest Range Officer, Pobitora WS, Morigaon District Programme Officers, Block Education Officers, CRCC- Pobitora, Panchayat Heads, Principals & Teachers of 10 Ek Prithvi schools were some of the dignitaries who graced the event.
Buli Gogoi, the DEEO launched the Ek Prithvi movie “When Learning is Rooted in Nature, India Grows” and Inaugurated the Activity Room. The officials appreciated the Activity room & said it would really help the other schools to come and experience about various Environment Education & access the library. Archita Baruah Bhattacharyya, State Coordinator, WWF India Assam State Office delivered the welcome address and explained the various work done by WWF India with glimpses of Ek Prithvi Assam. This was followed by the valuable note by Key Speaker Smti Buli Gogoi, encouraging the Education work of WWF and her interest to spread to entire Morigaon district and then screening of Ek Prithvi Movie
where shooting of Assam was done in this school. During experience sharing session, Model School Principal Renu Prava Laskar Medhi and teachers narrated how the WWF Ek Prithvi program impacted the students who have become nature lovers, bringing change in their habits and influencing family & community. Mural art done by Art for Nature on outside wall of Activity room on Biodiversity & habitat of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary was highly appreciated by all present. Ek Prithvi Anthem was sang by the students of Ek Prithvi School.
Speaking about the programme, Radhika Suri, Director Environment Education, WWF-India said “It is the need of the hour to educate the present generation towards greener habits and sustainable consumption practices in a playful, creative and engaging manner. Ek Prithvi will inspire not just children but their families and immediate communities towards environment action and will encourage them to contribute towards a greener, cleaner and healthier India. The support we have received from the State Education Departments is a testimony of the importance of imparting environment education.”
