ACTIVITY REPORT

National Green Corps Programme in

2009-2010

West Bengal Pollution Control Board Paribesh Bhawan Bldg 10 A, Block LA, Sector III Bidhannagar, Kolkata – 700 098 Phone: +91 33 2335 9088/7428/8211 Fax: +91 33 2335 2813/8073 Website: www.wbpcb.gov.in E-mail: [email protected] INTRODUCTION

The National Green Corps (NGC) had been introduced by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of with the aim of spreading awareness about environment, various environmental problems, way to solve those problems etc. among school children by involving them in various environment-related programmes through the Eco-clubs constituted in the respective schools. Under this programme, initiatives has been taken to set up Eco-clubs in maximum number of schools in every district of each State/Union Territory of the country. The members of these Eco-clubs constitute the National Green Corps.

In order to facilitate the NGC programmes, a Nodal Agency and an Implementing Agency have been designated for every State/Union Territory. The prime objectives of these programme are as follows:

 To make the children acquire the basic knowledge about environment and environmental problems, skills and values very easily that promote environmental responsibility.

 To provide environmental opportunities for school children;

 To utilize the unique position of school children for spreading environmental awareness to the society at large;

 To facilitate children's participation in the decision making process of environmental as well as developmental fields;

 To bring the children into direct interaction with the environmental problems facing the society they live in and make them think of solutions; and

 To involve children in action based programmes related to environment in their surroundings.

NGC PROGRAMME IN WEST BENGAL

In West Bengal, the NGC programme was initiated in the year 2002-2003 during which a total of 1900 schools belonging to 19 districts of the state were included under the programme and in 2009-2010, the number of NGC schools in West Bengal is 4750 including Kolkata, with approximately 250 Eco-clubs in each district as given in Table- 1.

The West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) acts as the State Nodal Agency and Paschim Banga Vigyan Mancha (PBVM) act as the State Implementing Agency for the NGC programmmes in West Bengal. In order to coordinate the implementation of the programme a State Steering Committee was constituted. There is another committee in each district i.e. District Implementation and Monitoring Committee (DIMC) headed by the District Magistrate to oversee the proper implementation of the programme at the district level. So far, the DIMC have been constituted in the districts of Kolkata, Hooghly and Purulia.

1 Table- 1 : NGC Schools in West Bengal in 2009-2010

Sl. Total No. of Eco- Name of the District No. clubs 1. 248 2. Birbhum 240 3. Burdwan 413 4. Cooch Behar 138 5. Dakshin Dinajpur 141 6. Darjeeling 171 7. Hooghly 336 8. Howrah 231 9. Jalpaiguri 150 10. Kolkata 364 11. Malda 153 12. Murshidabad 236 13. Nadia 213 14. North 24 Parganas 540 15. Paschim Medinipur 319 16. Purba Medinipur 286 17. Purulia 130 18. South 24 Parganas 330 19. Uttar Dinajpur 111 Total 4750

GENERAL ACTIVITIES OF NGC ECO-CLUBS IN WEST BENGAL DURING 2009-10

Every NGC school has an Eco-club, each of which comprises around 50 children, who have joined voluntarily. The children are given theoretical inputs about environment as well as involved in hands-on activities, which helps to cultivate a sense of caring and appreciation for the environment. Each Eco-club is being supervised by a teacher-in-charge, selected amongst teachers of the school on the basis of their inclination towards environmental issues. There are one/two Master Trainers in each district to assist the teachers-in-charge for smooth functioning of the Eco-club activities. In order to implement the programme at the district level, the existing DIMC have been expanded to form an Expanded District level Implementation and Monitoring Committee for carrying out the various school-related activities of the campaign. The common programmes undertaken by the Eco-clubs of the NGC schools are given below:

1. Seminars/talks/debates: A number of seminars/talks/debates were organized under NGC Programme on the topics related to different global environmental issues, present state of environmental pollution, different pollution mitigation and control measures etc. to generate knowledge as well as awareness and concern for the environment amongst the school children.

2. Nature camp/Field Visit: Through such Nature Camps/Field Visits the school children of different Eco- clubs get the opportunity to directly interact with and study on the nature, which is a unique combination 2 of both the plants and animals, living and non-living components, biotic and abiotic factors of the environment. It is imperative for the children to understand the scientific processes influencing the distribution and abundance of organisms, the interactions among organisms, and the flow of energy- flux.

3. Plantation programmes: Plantation programme is one of the most important initiative undertaken by maximum number of Eco-club members of respective schools under NGC activity. The main aim of this activity is to increase the earth's total green cover through extensive afforestation and prevention of illegal tree-cutting and encourage the whole society towards the same to save the environment.

4. Cleanliness Drive: With a vision that “Cleanliness begins in schools”, the school children are involved in activities, such as cleaning their school premises, before starting to make efforts to make the world a cleaner place to live in.

5. Awareness by rallies: The student members of the Eco-clubs organize and participate in rallies to make the people in their locality aware of various environmental issues, such as Climate Change, plastic pollution, noise pollution and observation of various environmentally important days etc.

6. Survey: Intensive nature survey works conducted by school children of different Eco-clubs enable them to get knowledge about the environmental condition of a particular area/ecosystem, biodiversity, recognize the intricate problems and probable measures to eliminate them. For instance, wetland survey carried out by Eco-club members helps them to study about the ecosystem. biodiversity, the problems easily and pave the way towards solving the particular environmental problem.

7. Other activities: The other key activities undertaken by the individual schools and District Committee are Eco-club meetings, preparation of Eco-club diaries, Sky watching, setting up medicinal plant garden, observation of important days related to environment, such as World Environment Day, World Wetlands Day, National Science Day, Forest Week, etc.

3

AT A GLANCE NGC Activities in individual districts of West Bengal during 2009-2010

4 DISTRICT: BANKURA

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

Bankura is located in the western part of the state of West Bengal (latitude 22°38’ N and longitude 86°36’ E to 87°47’ E). The District is bounded by River Damodar and the adjacent districts are Bardhaman in the north, Purulia in the west and Paschim Medinipure in the south. It is a part of Bardhaman Division of the State and included in the area known as 'Rarh' in Bengal having forest land of 148177 ha. which constitutes 21.5% of total geographical area of the district. Latest land use patterns indicate that culturable wasteland stood at 11703 ha., fallow land, other than current fallow at 11101 ha., Current fallow at 16480 ha. and 36692 ha. of Barren and uncultivable land. This land may be made suitable for taking up forestry/ waste land development. It ranks 4th according to Population and literacy rate of 2001 Census in the State.

From the geographical, socioeconomic and environmental consideration, the district offers lot of scope for development of this activity. In view of Govt. supports for development of this sector, long term potential for development through credit may be estimated at 2500ha. for next 5 years with annual phasing of 500ha.

Table- 2 : NGC schools in different zones of Bankura district

Sl. No. Block/ Zone No. of schools No. of Eco-clubs 1 Bankura-I 32 26 2 Bankura- II 14 11 3 Barjora 24 8 4 Bishnupur 21 10 5 Chhatna 22 13 6 Gangajalghati 22 9 7 Hirbandh 13 6 8 Indas 22 10 9 Indpur 26 15 10 Joypur 20 13 11 Khatra 16 13 12 Kotulpur 22 15 13 Mejia 8 8 14 Onda 26 8 15 Patrasayer 19 6 16 Raipur 22 11 17 Ranibandh 15 8

5 Sl. No. Block/ Zone No. of schools No. of Eco-clubs 18 15 5 19 Sarenga 20 12 20 Simlapal 23 14 21 Sonamukhi 19 11 22 Taldangra 22 16 Total 443 248

NGC PROGRAMME OF BANKURA DISTRICT

There are total 443 nos. of schools out of which about 248 nos. of Eco-club organize NGC environmental campaign programmes in the respective schools. A considerable number of students who are members of the Eco-clubs were engaged in various activities, such as, seminars, talks, cleaning programmes, plantation, awareness rallies, field visit programmes and other activities.

Table 3: Activities of NGC schools of Bankura district

No of participating schools No of participating students Activity Up to Sep. 09 Up to Dec. 09 Up to Mar. 10 Up to Sep. 09 Up to Dec. 09 Up to Mar. 10 Seminar 123 83 131 9201 7329 10080 Talk/Debate 65 69 75 Camp 21 17 15 1447 1800 1950 Field Visit 42 51 59 Plantation 63 27 06 Cleanliness Drive 12985 6500 2900 135 103 44 Awareness by rallies 27 16 22 1200 800 1150 Other Events 62 47 56 2480 1800 1600

Table 4: Activities by Bankura District Committee

No of participating No of participants (Teachers/ Activities & Date schools students) District-level workshops of the teachers-in-charge 206 206 HIV Awareness Rally on 1.12.09 18 1630 Health Awareness Rally 48 3500 Call for plantation during Forest Week 94 4232 Cleanliness Drive at the school premises on 15.07.09 103 6180 Seminar on & Environment on 25.07.09 130 130 (Teacher) Awareness Rally for Bankura town cleanliness on 30.09.09 18 7200

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

1. Prize distribution ceremony- The ceremony held on 1.11.09 at Vidya Bhaban, Bankura. All the teachers-in-charges, successful candidates of 'Prakriti Amader' competition 2009 and Eco-club student- members participated in this programme.

6 2. Awareness Programmes

Most of the Eco-clubs participated in various activities as follows:  Seminars  Plantation of Medicinal Plants during Forest Week  Various competitions on 'Poster with slogan', Quiz on environmental topics, Debate etc.  Cleanliness Programmes in and around school premises  Nature study camps  Health awareness rallies

Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in Bankura District

Students are in Nature Study Camp Awareness Rally on Environment

Students displaying Posters with awareness slogans Plantation programme on school premises

Cleanliness Drive within the school premises Students attending Seminar

7 DISTRICT: BIRBHUM

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

Birbhum is the northernmost District of the Burdwan Division. It lies between 23° 32' and 24° 35' N and 88° 01' and 87° 5' E. In shape it looks like an isosceles triangles. The apex is situated at the northern extremity not far south of point where the Ganges and the hills of the Santhal Paraganas begin to diverge while the river Ajay forms the base of this triangle. Birbhum is bounded on the north and west by Santhal Paraganas, on the east by the districts of Murshidabad and Burdwan and on the south by Burdwan, from which it is separated by the Ajay river. The district extends over an area of 4545 square kilometers.

NGC PROGRAMME IN BIRBHUM DISTRICT

The NGC programme has been functioning in 240 schools of 9 zones in the district of Birbhum. The student members of the Eco-clubs were engaged in various activities, such as, cleaning programmes, plantation, awareness rallies and other activities. All these schools have been further grouped into nine zones for the smooth functioning of the NGC programme, namely, Muraroi, Moyureswar, Ahamadpur, Rajnagar, Suri, Md Bazar, Nalhati, Rampurhat and Bolpur. Some of the highlighting events of the Eco-clubs of the district are given below :

Table 5: Activities conducted by Birbhum District Committee

No. of participating Activities Schools Seminar/Talk 225 Field Visit 75 Plantation (Forest Week) 225 Cleanliness Drive in school & locality 240 Awareness Rallies (Anti tobacco, Anti 105 War, plastic USC) Survey Works on Biodiversity& Health 60 awareness Medicinal Plant Garden 25 Wall Magazine 110 Construction of VAT for Garbage 120 Eco Club Board 125 Nature Study Camp 40 Eco club Diary 180 Observation of Important days a. World Environment Day 225 b. World Health Day 95 c. National Science Day 80 d. Earth Day 25 e. Anti War Day 125 f. Anti Drug Day 25 School Level Competitions on various 210 environmental issues

8 No. of participating Activities Schools Other Activities a. Children's Science Festival 120 b. Tearchers' Day 20 c. Aids Day 170 d. PBVM Day 150 Awareness Programmes a. Health & Sanitation 150 b. Color Food & Drink 60 c. Global Warming 40

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

 Forest Week celebrated About 225 Eco-clubs participated in the celebration of “Forest Week” (14-20 July). They observed the week by planting saplings within their school premises. For instance, Kalitgoti Smriti Nari Sikhsha Sadan organized plantation programme on 19.07.09.

 Prakiti Amader This event had been organized under the WBPCB Campaign programme. 210 no.s of school of the district having Eco-clubs under the NGC programme participated in the event.

 Cleaning programme in School & locality All the student members of 240 Eco-clubs participated in this programme with great enthusiasm. Such programmes were organized within the premises of the schools and around local areas.

9 Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in Birbhum District

Plantation programme Sit and draw competition on Environmental awareness

Awareness campaign on environmental pollution among villagers by school students

Students nursing the medicinal plants Students participating in the Awareness Rally

10 DISTRICT: BURDWAN

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

A district with variety of livelihood, agriculture, industry, and mining, all at their peak. The agricultural production is so high that the district is called the granary of Bengal. Industrial Township of Durgapur is second almost to none. Mining, primarily for coal, is another activity in the district. Located at 23o16'N and 87o54'E, the total geographical area of the district is 7024 square kilometers.

Table 6 : Numbers Eco-clubs of different clusters of Burdwan district

Name of the No .of Sl. No. Blocks/Municipalities of the concerned Cluster Cluster Eco-clubs 1. Andal Andal, Pandaveswar 14 2. Asansol Asansol Municipal Corporation 17 3. Barabani Barabani, Salanpur 11 4. Bhatar Bhatar 11 5. Budbud -Galsi Galsi I & Galsi II 25 6. Burdwan Sadar Burdwan Sadar I & II 30 7. Burdwan Town Burdwan Municipality 25 8. Burnnpur -Kulti Burnpur 0& Kulti Municipality 22 9. Durgapur Durgapur Municipal Corporation 26 10. Durgapur Ispat Durgapur Municipal Corporation & Durgapur- Faridpur 16 11. Guskara Guskara Municipality, Ausgram I & II 17 12. Jamuria Jamuria Municipality, Jamuria 10 13. Kalna Kalna Municipality, Kalna I & II 24 14. Kanksa Kanksa 18 15. Katwa Katwa Municipality, Katwa I & II 20 16. Khandaghosh Khandaghosh 17 17. Mangalkote - Mangalkot, Ketugram I & II 14 Ketugram 18. Memari I Memari Municipality, Memari I, Jamalpur Panchayet Samity 29 19. Memari II Memari II, Monteswar Panchayet Samity 25 20. Purbasthali - I Purbasthali- I & II 07 21. Raina Raina I & II 14 22. Raniganj Raniganj Municipality, Raniganj 21 Total 413

11 NGC PROGRAMME IN BURDWAN DISTRICT

In Burdwan district, 413 schools were involved in the NGC programme. The objectives of the activities under the NGC programme in the district were as follows:

 To disseminate the ideas and views about environment among the members of intra and inter district Eco-clubs;  To know the nature of environmental education opportunities availed by the Eco-clubs in different corner of the district;  To find out whether the children are able to participate in environment related decision making  To focus on whether the Eco-club activities left any impression on the neighboring schools or not.

Table7 : NGC Activities of Burdwan district

Activities No of schools participated Seminar 275 Talk 145 Camp 160 Field Visit 70 Plantation 140 Cleanliness Drive 335 Awareness rallies 125 Survey 128

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

 Seminars/ Discussion The student members of the Eco-clubs of the district participated in various seminars/ discussions on the issues such as biodiversity, sanitation Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day, health and nutrition, war and others.

 Cleanliness Drive School cleaning exercises were a major activity in the schools of the district. Cleanliness programmes were organized within the premises of many schools of the district.

 Plantation Many Eco-clubs took up plantation programme in and around their school premises. Some of the Eco-clubs participated in setting up flower garden, medicinal plant garden programme to celebrate Forest week.

 Rally Rallies were organized by the Eco-club student members on a regular basis. Many schools organized rallies on Bird-flu, use of plastic carry bags, war, World Environment Day, World AIDS Day, World Health Day, National Science Day etc.

 Nature Study Camp Many of the Eco-clubs participated in Nature Study Camps during which several seminars, talk/discussion on various issues related to environment, demonstration on wetlands, water conservation programme etc had been organized.

12 Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in Burdwan District

Sit-and-Draw programme on environmental issues

Plantation Ptohtsmmr within the school premises

Nature study camp

13 DISTRICT: COOCH BEHAR

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

Cooch Behar lies between 25°57'47" to 26°36'2" North latitude and between 89°54'35" to 88°47'44" East longitude. The area of the district is 3387 sq. km., which is 3.82% of the land mass of the State of West Bengal. Cooch Behar is a district under the Jalpaiguri Division of the state of West Bengal. It is located in the north-eastern part of the state and bounded by the district of Jalpaiguri in the north, state of in the east and the international border in the form of Indo-Bangladesh boundary in the south as well as in the west.

Table 8: NGC Schools in different zones of Cooch Behar District

Sl. No. Sub-Divisions No of participating schools 1. Cooch Behar Sadar North Zone 31 2. Cooch Behar Sadar South Zone 10 3. Tufangunj 32 4. Dinhata 35 5. Mathabhanga 25 6. Mekhliganj 05 Total 138

NGC PROGRAMME IN COOCH BEHAR DISTRICT

The NGC programme has been functioning in 138 schools in the district of Cooch Behar. The student members of the Eco-clubs of these schools were engaged in various activities, such as, publication of wall magazine, rallies, survey, nature study camp, cleanliness and plantation programmes in the school premises, etc. The different activities undertaken by the individual schools and the District Committee are tabulated below.

Table 9: Activities by NGC schools of Cooch Behar district

No. of participating Activities schools Seminar 57 Plantation 65 Cleanliness Drive 110 Awareness by Rallies 75 Nature Study Camp 34 School Level Competition 72 “Prokriti Amader”

14 Table 10: Activities conducted by Cooch Behar District Committee

Activities No of participating schools Zonal level meeting of Eco-club In-Charges 138 District level workshop 127 District level Seminar 57 District Level Competition “Prokriti Amader” 67 Observation of World Environment Day 108

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS  School Cleaning Programmes  Rally and seminar on World Environment Day  Nature Observation Camp at Rasik bill  Tree plantation programme during Forest week  School level competition- “Prakriti Amader”

Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in Cooch Behar District

Sit & draw competition on Environment Road Rally on environment

School Cleaning programme Plantation programme

Prize distribution ceremony on School level Poster display on Environment competition- “Prakriti Amader” 15 DISTRICT: DARJEELING

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

Darjeeling hill areas, which is unique from environmental Eco-perception lies between 27°03' N and 88°18'E at a height of 2134m (7053 ft) on a mountain ridge covering an area of 11.44 sq. km. There are different climatic zones with distinctive attributes and there are endangered animals like red panda etc. along with memory orchids and medicinal plants are available in this hilly region. The Hill areas of Darjeeling District are located within the Lesser and Sub - Himalayan belts of the Eastern Himalayas. The area is bounded by the Sikkim Himalaya in the north, the Bhutan Himalaya in the east and Nepal Himalaya in the west. The southern foothill belt is demarcated by a highly dissipated platform of terrace deposits extending along the east west axis. The inner belt is defined by a ridge-line stretching from the Darjeeling Hill to the west and Kalimpong Hill to the east, overlooking the southerly flowing Tista valley in between. Prominent rivulets contributing to the Rammam - Rangit basin, dissipate the northern slope of Darjeeling Hills. The important rivers are Tista, Great Rangit, Mechi, Balason, Mahananda, Lish, Gish, Chel, Ramman, Murti and Jaldhaka. Tea, Timber and Tourism are the three main factors for economy of the district. Orange and Cardamom are also two cash crops for this district.

NGC PROGRAMME IN DARJEELING DISTRICT

In the Darjeeling district, Eco-clubs of 171 schools and its student members were involved in the NGC programme. Of these, 94 schools are situated in the plains and 77 are situated in the hills. Teachers of those Eco-club schools were also involved in the programme. This is primarily why the Eco-clubs of these districts were divided into five linguistic classes viz. Bengali, Hindi, Nepali, Urdu and English.

Table 11: Medium of Instruction of NGC schools of Darjeeling district

Sl. No. Linguistic Medium No of participating schools 1. Bengali 65 2. Nepali 08 3. English 85 4. Hindi 12 5. Urdu 01

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

The key activities of the NGC schools of Darjeeling district were as follows:

 Plantation Programmes Forest Week during 14-20 July was celebrated with great enthusiasm by different Eco-clubs both in the hills and in the plains involving Eco-club students, teachers as well as local people by planting various saplings in and around the school premises.

 Survey/ Nature study camp A number of visits to any ecological site for the Eco-club members were organized by Paschim Banga Vigyan Mancha in collaboration with the Sarva Shiksha Mission, and Siliguri Education District.

16  Celebration of different Days

 Noise Pollution Campaign Programmes

 Seminar About 50 Eco-clubs organized seminars on different environmental issues.

 Sit & Draw Competition Different Eco-clubs organized a number of Sit & Draw competitions throughout the year to create enthusiasm and great interest regarding environmental issues among the Eco-club student members of the NGC schools.

 Awareness Rally Eco-club student members, teachers and local people of both hills and plain organized and participated in rally to spread awareness regarding global warming, plastic pollution, anti- superstition etc.

Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in Darjeeling District

Plantation programme Sit and draw programme on Environmental Issurs

Celebration of World Environment Day Participating in Awareness Rally

17 DISTRICT: DAKSHIN DINAJPUR

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

West Dinajpur District was created out of the erstwhile Dinajpur district in 1947 at the time of partition of India. The rest of the Dinajpur district is now in Bangladesh. The West Dinajpur district was enlarged in 1956 at the time of reorganization of the State with the addition of some areas of Bihar. The district was bifurcated into Uttar Dinajpur and Dakshin Dinajpur on 01.04.1992. The erstwhile Balurghat Sub-Division along with Banshihari and Kushmandi Blocks (which were in Raigunj Sub- Division prior to the bifurcation) comprise the new district. The district is drained by a number of North- South flowing river like Atreyee, Punarbhaba, Tangon and Brahmani. It is predominantly an agricultural district with large area of land being under cultivation district extends from 26 deg 35' 15" N to 25 deg 10' 55" N and 89 deg 00' 30" E to 87 deg 48' 37" E. The geographical area of the district is 2162 square kilometers.

NGC PROGRAMME IN DAKSHIN DINAJPUR DISTRICT

Table 12: Activities of NGC schools of Dakshin Dinajpur District

No of participating schools Activities Aug- Oct. 09 Nov- Jan. 10 Feb-Mar. 10 Seminar/Talk 125 101 89 Camp/Field Visit 53 89 79 Plantation/ Cleanliness Drive 69 112 87 Awareness by rallies 98 120 76 Survey 59 95 12

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS  Plantation Programmes All of the 141 Eco-clubs of the district have adopted the programme whole-heartedly. Out of these, 135 Eco-clubs have implemented the plantation programme successfully. Students from different Eco-clubs took up extensive plantation scheme from 14th to 20th July within school premises, local areas and municipal wards.  Camp/ Field Visits Students of 115 Eco-clubs of the district participated in nature study and specimen collection programmes comprising of 9 to 10 sub-groups.  Seminar/ Talks Students of the 136 of 141 Eco-clubs, participated separately in various seminars and talk sessions on the issues, such as air pollution, Noise pollution, Water pollution, Ecosystem and Biodiversity.  Survey Each of the Eco-clubs has taken up survey oriented programme. Students of 119 schools carried out surveys on sanitation, public health, nutrition, biodiversity and surface water conditions of rural areas.

18  Awareness by Rally Students along with their teachers from 141 Eco-clubs participated in total sanitation programme at their respective areas from 11.09.09 to 30.09.09. 120 Eco-clubs throughout the district took part individually or jointly in the walking rally organized on 07.4.09 on the occasion of World Health Day.

Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in Dakshin Dinajpur District

Awareness Rally Plantation Programme

Cleanliness drive Nature study camp

Weeds cleaning programme Poster demonstration programme

19 DISTRICT: HOOGHLY

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

A district with both agriculture and industrial activities at their heights. Bandel Church, Debanandapur, the birthplace of Sarat Chandra Chatterjee, Joyrambati and Kamarpukur with its connection to the life of Ramakrishna and Sarada Devi are the places of attraction in the district. Hooghly district (22°N 88°E, area 1,214 sq mi [3,145 sq. km) comprises a fertile, low-lying alluvial tract dotted with marshes and abandoned river channels and drained by the Rupnarayan and Damodar rivers. Rice, jute, sugarcane, and potatoes are the main crops; bananas and mangoes are cultivated. The Hooghly's riverbank is densely populated and heavily industrialized, with jute, rice, and cotton mills and rubber and chemical factories. Early European settlements include Serampore and Chandernagore.

Table 13: NGC schools in different zones of Hooghly district

Sl. No. Name of the zone No of participating schools 1. Uttarpara 30 2. Chanditala I & II 29 3. Serampore 26 4. Seoraphuli-Baidyabati 11 5. Chinsurah 12 6. Chandernagore 13 7. Bandel-Mogra 20 8. Pandua 21 9. Balagarh 25 10. Haripal 16 11. Tarakeswar 11 12. Bhadreswar 13 13. Pursurah 11 14. Arambag 20 15. Goghat I & II 36 16. Central 6 17. Khanakul- I & II 15 18. Polba 21 Total 336

20 NGC PROGRAMME IN HOOGHLY DISTRICT

The NGC programme has been functioning in 336 schools in the district of Hooghly. All these schools have been further grouped into five clusters for the smooth functioning of the programme, namely, Arambagh, Chandannagar, Haripal, Srirampur and Uttarpara. The activities have been divided into two groups:

 Central programmes harnessed by the District Committee  Local-level programmes implemented by the units of the NGC

The student members of the Eco-clubs were engaged in various activities conducted by the individual schools, such as seminars, nature camps, cleanliness programmes, plantation programmes, awareness rallies, survey of wetlands, etc. Special programmes included celebration of the important days related to environment, seminars on the life and teachings of eminent scientists and awareness campaigns on plastic pollution.

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

 Celebration of important days The following days of great significance was celebrated by the Eco-clubs of Hooghly district:

 International Biodiversity Day (22nd May)  Childrens' Day (14th November)

 World Environment Day (5th June)  Wetland Day (2nd February)  Celebration of Eco-club foundation Day  Forest Week (14th - 20th July)  National Science Day (28th February)  World Health Day (7th April)

 Science seminar Almost all the Eco-clubs organized seminars on Charles Darwin and Galileo.

 Survey works and Nature Study Camps Surveys in and around wetlands and other biodiversity rich areas were carried out by Eco-club members. In addition, few Eco-clubs of the zones located in the agricultural areas organized surveys for crop fields to discuss the cultivation pattern of their respective localities.

Some of the Eco-clubs organized Nature study Camps in specific areas having social, ecological and environmental importance and the participants obtained knowledge about identification of landscape, natural vegetation, soil type, preparation of Herbarium sheets etc.

 Participation in fairs and exhibitions Few Eco-clubs participated in open fairs of respective zones and displayed models, charts etc. Beside this, all the Eco-clubs took part in the school exhibitions during prize distribution ceremony or other special occasions.

21 Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in Hooghly District

Sit and draw competition on environmental issues

School Cleaning programme

Seminar on environmental issues

Village survey Plantation programme

22 DISTRICT: HOWRAH

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

Howrah lies along the west bank of the Hooghly River directly opposite Kolkata. It is Kolkata's largest satellite city and is the second largest city in West Bengal state. The district has major Grand Trunk Road connections and is the eastern terminus of major rail lines traversing eastern, northern, and central India. The city is connected to Kolkata across the Hooghly River by a number of bridges. Its river port is lined with ship-building and repairing docks, and on the river bank and elsewhere are jute, flour, rice, oilseed, and cotton mills; sawmills; iron and steel rolling mills; and factories making chemicals, glass, hosiery, cigarettes, and batteries. Sibpur, a southern suburb of Howrah, contains light industry and railway workshops, as well as a botanical garden founded in 1786. Constituted a municipality in 1862, Howrah has several colleges. The city is situated in a deltaic alluvial tract intersected by numerous rivers, and the area becomes flooded during the rainy season. It is spread over an area of 1467 sq. km. having population of 744,429 (as per 1981 census).

NGC PROGRAMME OF HOWRAH DISTRICT

The NGC programme has been functioning in 231 schools in the Howrah district. The Eco-club student members were engaged in various activities conducted by the individual schools such as seminars, nature camps, cleanliness programmes, plantation programmes, awareness rallies, survey and others. About 40-50 student members from each Eco-club were involved in the NGC programme. Most of the selected schools performed their level best for the inculcating scientific knowledge and temperament on environment and ecological balance among the students.

Table 14: NGC Activities of Howrah district

No. of participating Activities schools

Seminar on Environmental Awareness & Global Warming 231

Observation of World Environment Day 231

Cleanliness Drive 231

Observation of National Science Day 225

Medicinal Plant Garden 203

Model Making 115

Observation of Forest Week 231

Nature Study Camp 211

Awareness by rallies 202

23 No. of participating Activities schools

Wall Magazine 84

Survey 68

Observation of Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day 112

Preparation of Biodiversity Register 15

Sit & Draw Competition 220

IYA observation 15

Observation of Anti tobacco Day 35

Observation of World Health Day 115

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

Nature Study Camp Some schools arranged Educational Tour or Nature study Camp at local ecologically significant areas.

Celebration of World Environment Day Many of the schools, like Ojarpur Shivganj Bishalakhshmi High School, Shyampur High School etc. organized various programmes on the occasion of World Environment Day, on June 5, 2009.

24 Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in Howrah District

Displaying various models in Science Exhibition

Plantation programme Workshop on Global Warming

Cleanliness drive Observation of Celebrating World Environment Day

25 DISTRICT: JALPAIGURI

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

The district having total geographical area of 6245 sq. km. is situated in the northern part of West Bengal has international borders with Bhutan and Bagladesh in the North and South respectively and borders with Assam and Darjeeling hills in the East, West and Northwest. The entire topography is crisscrossed with rivulets, rivers and hills. The district is primarily rural with more than 80 % of rural population. It has also high percentage of SC/ST population. Relatively sizable population resides in Tea Gardens and Forest villages which are isolated and mostly inaccessible. The district is the gateway to the entire North-Eastern States and Bhutan. Having high percentage of migrated population different cultural groups (Ranjbanshi, Ravas, Totos, Metch, Santhals, Madasia and Oraons) have created a unique cultural harmony which is rarely seen in other districts of West Bengal.

Table 15: NGC Schools in different zones of Jalpaiguri District

No. of participating Sl. No. Name of the Zones Schools 1 Jalpaiguri (Sadar) 19 2 Maynaguri 16 3 Rajgunj 09 4 Dhupguri 14 5 Mateli 03 6 Malbazar 12 7 Nagrakata 05 8 Banarhat 04 9 Falakata 15 10 Kalchini 07 11 Bhatibari 08 12 Alipurduar 16 13 Kumargram/ Kamakhyaguri - 14 Jalpaiguri Sadar (Dakshin) 14 15 Haldibari 08 Total 150

NGC PROGRAMME IN JALPAIGURI DISTRICT

The NGC programme has been functioning in 150 schools in the district of Jalpaiguri. The student members of the Eco-clubs were engaged in various activities, such as, cleaning programmes, plantation, health awareness programmes and observation of important days related to environment. The different activities undertaken by the individual schools and the District Committee are tabulated below.

26 Table 16: Activities of NGC schools of Jalpaiguri district

No of participating Name of Activity schools Eco-club Banner 150 Seminar/Talk 150 Field Visit 50 Plantation 110 Cleanliness & Beautification 150 Awareness by rallies 110 Survey 20 Wall magazine 80 Quiz Competition 110 Collection of Eco-news 25 Sit & Draw Competition 110 Medicinal Plant gardening 80 Making and installation of vat for garbage 100 Debate 50 Essay Competition 50 Nature Study Camp 30 Eco-club Board 60 Educational Tour 30 Eco-club Diary 100 Observation of important days 110 Participation in central programmes 150

 Seminars The Eco-club student members participated in various seminars on contemporary environmental issues. Almost all of the 150 schools of the district participated in the different seminar sessions. Seminars were also held on the occasion of the celebration of important days related to environment.

Table 17: Seminars conducted by NGC schools of Jalpaiguri district

No. of participating Event of Seminar schools World Environment Day 150 Forest Week 111 World Health Day 50 Campaign against use of plastic carry bags 75 National Science Day 50 Awareness on HIV/AIDS 84 Disaster Management 61 Seminar on Biodiversity 100 Use of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides in 32 agriculture Medicinal plants cultivation, collection 40 and uses

27  Rally An important component of mass awareness campaign is rallies. All the 150 NGC schools of the district have participated in rallies organized on the occasion of important days related to environment and health.

Table 18: Rallies conducted by NGC schools

No of participating Event of Rally schools World Environment Day 140 Forest Week 100 World Health Day 21 Campaign against use of plastic carry bags 62 Disaster Management 28 PBVM Foundation Day 100 National Science Day 70 Awareness on HIV/ AIDS 50

 Observation of important days Observation of important days related to environment is an important part of the extra-curricular activities of schools. The NGC schools of the district have participated in several such events, as tabulated below.

Table 18: Observation of important days by NGC schools

No. of participating Name of Activity schools National Animal Care & Welfare 25 Fortnight World Cancer Day 10 National Science Day 90 World Handicraft Day 10 World Water Day 25 World Health Day 50 Earth Day 25 Mental Health Week 10 International Biodiversity Day 20 Anti-Tobacco Day 20 World Environment Day 150 National Diabetic Day 15 Forest Week 110 Hiroshima Day 100 Nagasaki Day 80 Anti-Drug Day 15 Teachers' Day 100 National Disaster Management 80 Day Children's Day 20 PBVM Foundation Day 150 Anti-AIDS Day 60 Bhopal Disaster Day 10 Wetland Preservation Day 30 Anti-War day 50

28  Other Activities

Table 19: Miscellaneous activities conducted by NGC schools district

Name of Activity No of participating schools 'Sekhar Ananda' Festivals at two venues 60 Sky Watch at four venues 100 Snake Show at two venues 50 'Prakriti Amader' Competitions and Disaster 100 Management Eco-club workshops at six venues 300 teachers of 150 NGC schools Prize distribution ceremony Arranged centrally

NGC Activities in Jalpaiguri District : Photo Gallery

Discussion on aim and objectives of Eco-clubs Seminar on different Environmental Issues

Essay writing competition on Environmental Topics

29 DISTRICT: KOLKATA

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

Kolkata is an administrative district of the West Bengal. It contains part of the city of Kolkata and also some parts of the districts of North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas making it the area is under the administration of Kolkata Municipal Corporation and thus its population exceeds 15 million. The city is well connected to the other cities of India through train, bus and air services. Most of the countries in Asia have flight links to this city.

Table 20: NGC Schools in different zones of Kolkata District

No of participating Sl. No. Name of the Zone schools 1. Behala West 20 2. Behala East 20 3. Garden Reach-Metiabruz 26 4. Khidirpore-Taratala 20 5. Dhakuria 31 6. South East Kolkata 29 7. South West Kolkata 13 8. Maniktala 07 9. Beleghata 18 10. Central West 10 11. Central East 25 12. North Central 22 13. North East 20 14. North West 22 15. Cossipore Belgachia 33 16. Tollygunj 23 17. North Kolkata 11 Total 364

NGC PROGRAMME IN KOLKATA DISTRICT

The NGC programme has been presently functioning in 364 schools in Kolkata. The student members of the Eco-clubs and teachers participated in various activities, such as science exhibition, observation of important days related to environment, campaign on conservation of natural resources and rational use of plastics, plantation programmes, etc.

30 Maximum Eco-clubs participated in the following activities:

1. Seminars 2. Anti war slide shows & Rally 3. Campaign against using Plastic Carry Bags 4. School Cleaning & beautification of school bourdries 5. Tree Plantation & observation of Forest Week 6. Sit & Draw Competition 7. Nature Study Camp, Field Visit & excursion 8. Campaign for the use of iodized salt 9. Medicinal Plant Garden 10. Biodiversity Day Observation 11. Preparation of Wall Magazine 12. Survey Programmes 13. Health Awareness Programmes 14. Science Exhibition 15. Workshop-cum Review Meeting 16. Anti Littering Campaign 17. World Environment Day 18. “Nature Belongs to us” Competition 19. Cultural Programme 20. Observation of different days

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

 Workshop on National green Corps activities

A district level workshop cum review meeting was organized on 7th July 2009 at Moulali Yuva Kendra. The participants were trained on various aspects of environmental pollution Kolkata district Observed different Day, organized Workshops on wetland conservation were one of the prime components of the progarmmes.

31 Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in Kolkata District

Cleanliness drive Sit and draw Competition

Plantation Programme Students participating in Awareness Rally

Nature Study Camp

32 DISTRICT: MALDA

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

The gateway of North Bengal, Malda, once the capital of Gour- Banga with its 3456 sq. km. lay of the land classified into Tal, Diara, and Barind awaits the advent of tourists and people of archaeological interest with its wealth to be enjoyed and its huge potential to be explored. Malda District is situated between the 24°40’20”N to 25°32’08”N and 88°28’10”E to 87°45’50”E and surrounded by Bangladesh and South Dinajpur in the east, Santal Parganas of Jharkhand state in the west, Uttar Dinajpur in the north and Murshidabad in the south. Malda, the southern most of the North Bengal district is comprised within the Jalpaiguri Division. The district consist with two subdivisions, that is Sadar and Chanchal, and Englishbazar is the headquarter of the district as well as the Sadar subdivision.

Table 21: NGC schools of Malda district

No. of Sl. No. Name of the Block participating Total No. of activities Schools 1. Gazole 6 49 2. Manikchak 10 89 3. Bamongola 10 72 4. Ratua I 8 57 5. Ratua II 9 69 6. Old Malda 8 63 7. Kaliachak I 3 21 8. Kaliachak II 10 83 9. Kaliachak III 7 55 10. Habibpur 14 112 11. Englishbazar (Block) 3 22 12. Chanchal I 9 74 13. Chanchal II 13 97 14. Englishbazar (Town) 35 264 15. Harishchandrapur 3 23 16. Akondabaria 3 23 17. Amrity Unit 2 16 Total 153 1189

NGC PROGRAMME IN MALDA DISTRICT

The NGC programme has been functioning in 153 schools in the district of Malda. These Eco-clubs were established in rural and urban areas of the district. About 15000 students, teachers, guardians and other local people were involved in the various activities held throughout the year. Eco-clubs participating in multifarious activities, mainly of five categories were organized: a) Centrally organized programmes; b) Locally organized programmes; c) Both centrally and locally organized programmes; d) Study/surveys on environmental and socio-economic issues; and e) Motivation type programmes

33

Table 22: NGC Activities of Malda district

Programmes A. Centrally organized Programmes C Study/Survey 1 Celebration of Word Environment Day 1 Nature Study / Camp 2 Celebration of Earth Day 2 Biodiversity 3 Anti-plastic carry bag Campaign 3 Medicinal Plant 4 Hirosima Day 4 Pollution 5 Nagasaki Day 5 Literacy & Public Hygiene 6 National Science Day 6 Water Survey 7 Slide Shows on 30.11.09 7 Friend Insect & foe insect 8 'Save Environment' Memorandum 8 Tree Identification 9 District Eco-Conference 9 Agriculture 10 Celebration of PBVM Day 10 Smoking & Addiction B Locally organized Programmes 1. National Science Day D. Other Programmes 2. Earth Day 1. Seminar/Meeting 3. Anti Tobacco Day 2. Competition on Ecology 4. World Environment Day 3. Preparing posters 5. Hiroshima Day 4. Cleaning the area 6. Nagasaki Day 5. Health Care Camp 7. Forest Week 6. Wall Magazine 8. Blood Donation camp 7. Anti Superstition Camp 9. Pulse Polio Assistance 8. Preserving Environment related News Paper 10. Workshop on Public Health Clippings 11. Celebration of PBVM Day 9. Krishi Paramarsha Kendra 12. Slide Lecture on cosmology 10. Street Corner Meetings 13. Seed germination camp 11. Guardian's meeting 14. Anti -Plastic carry bag Campaign 12. Slide show 15. Awareness camp on pollution

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

 Seminars and Workshops On 19.04.09 a seminar was organized on a relevant topic, like, 'Chemical Hub at Nayachar' at Malda Town Hall. Another two seminars were held on 30.5.09 on 'Derozio & his work on superstition' and on 11.07.09 on 'Solar eclipse'. All the Eco-club members including teachers , students and local people participated in such programmes. On 12.12.09 a workshop for cancer was organized at Mada College Auditorium and on 11.07.09 there was another workshop on Solar eclipse at Sibram Bhawan of District Science Centre, where about 100 no.s of students and teachers participated.

 Awareness Rally A number of rallies were organized including anti-war rally for spreading awareness regarding environmental matters, social issues etc. Thousands of Eco-club students, teachers and local people participated in those rallies.

 Celebration of Forest Week About 250 Eco-club members including teachers and students participated in a programme to celebrate Forest week on 17.07.09.

34 Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in Malda District

Awareness Rally on World Environment Day

Science exhibition on Celebration of 150 years of Acharyya Jagadish Chandra Bose

35 DISTRICT: MURSHIDABAD

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

Murshidabad district of West Bengal is spread over an area of 5324 sq. km. The district is a triangular tract of country, the apex being situated at north-western extremity. The district is separated from Malda by the river Ganges on its north. On the northern and eastern boundaries of the district, there lies the district of Malda, Rajshahi in Bangladesh and Nadia. On the south lie the districts of Burdwan and Nadia. The districts of Dumka and the district of Birbhum bound western part of the district Murshidabad. The river Ganges or the Padma forms the northern and the eastern boundaries of the district, separating it from Malda and Rajshahi; while the river Jalangi divides it from Nadia at its southern boundary for a considerable distance. Headquarters of this district is Berhampur. The city of Murshidabad (24°11'N, 88°19' E) is located on the southern bank of the Bhagirathi, a tributary of the Ganges River.

Table 23: NGC schools in different zones of Murshidabad district

No. of NGC schools/ No. Sl. No. Name of the zone of Eco-clubs 1. Kandi 29 2. Beldanga 17 3. Bhagawangola 28 4. Behrampore 41 5. Raninagar 20 6. Raghunathgunj 25 7. Lalbagh 11 8. Jalangi 20 9. Jiyagunj 05 10. Nabagram 20 11. Sagardighi 10 12. Hariharpara 06 13. Shaktipur 04 Total 236

NGC PROGRAMME IN MURSHIDABAD DISTRICT

The NGC programme has been presently functioning in 236 schools in Murshidabad district. The student members of the Eco-clubs and teachers participated in various activities, such as seminar, cleanliness drive, medicinal plant garden, survey, plantation programme etc. related to environment. The schools of this district have regularly documented the events undertaken by them by means of video recording, photography and maintenance of the Eco-club diary, which basically records the school activities.

36 Table 24: NGC Activities in Murshidabad district

Activities No. of participating Eco-club Seminar & Talks 200 Field Visits 120 Plantation Programmes 180 Cleanliness in school & locality 188 Medicinal plant gardening 114 Wall Magazine 142 Nature Study Camps 86 Eco-club Diary 195 Observation of important days: a. Anti war Day 105 b. Wetland Day 98 c. World Environment Day 186 d. National Science Day 182 e. World Health Day 178 Other Activities: a. Deputation against Pollution 131 b. AIDS Day 24 Awareness Programmes: a. Health & Sanitation 146 b. c. Global Warming 268 d. Camp on total solar eclipse 108

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

 Observation of Important Days Rally, Padayatra, seminars, exhibitions and group meetings were organized with Posters, Banners, Placards in order to observe some of the important days related to environment. These include National Science Day (February 28), World Health Day (April 7), World Environment Day (June 5), World Wetland Day (June 16).

 Plantation The Eco-club student members celebrated Forest Week (Aranya Saptaha) from July 14 to 20, 2009 in the district with much enthusiasm. On an average, 25 to 35 various saplings including medicinal plants were planted by the student members of the Eco-clubs.

 Survey Surveys were carried out on various issues of present concern, including both fish and vegetable markets, sanitation to usage of low technology, which is conducive to environmental conservation.

 School Cleaning Programme This a regular programme adopted by the Eco-clubs. A special activity was undertaken in which every NGC school of the district participated under the slogan 'Clean your own school'. As a follow up of this programme, bins and waste boxes were kept at the class rooms. The Eco-club student members clean these bins on regular basis.

 Clean River initiative Eco-club members and teachers took active initiatives towards clean Ganga Convention programme. Leaflets were distributed as part of their activities to generate awareness among general people regarding prevention of Ganga pollution.

37  Wall Magazine Some Eco-clubs took initiatives to prepare attractive wall magazines compiling different write-ups, slogans, sketches etc. related to nature and environment.

Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in Murshidabad District

Cleanliness drive Students attending a Seminar

Students participating in Nature study camp Awareness Rally

Distribution of sapling among the students

38 DISTRICT: NADIA

ABOUT THE DISTRICT The name of the district Nadia originates from 'Nabadwip', which means a new island that rose from the Ganga. The district, which is well known for Gouranga Mahaprabhu is situated between 22º53″ and 24º11″ North latitude and 88º09″ and 88º48″ East longitude and about 390027 Sq km. in area. Sanskrit teaching, earthen-sculpture etc. are well- known exercise of this district. Diversified agricultural activity is of high standard. There are four subdivisions and eight municipalities in the district. Krishnanagar, is the administrative headquarters of Nadia district.

Table 25: NGC Schools in different zones of Nadia district Sl. No. Name of the Zones No of participating Schools 1 Kalyani 11 2 Gayeshpur 10 3 Haringhata 11 4 Chakdaha 29 5 Ranaghat West 13 6 Ranaghat East 9 7 Hanskhali 10 8 Taherpur / Badkulla 9 Krishanagar 35 10 Palashipara 7 11 Nabadwip 7 12 Chapra 18 13 Santipur 17 14 Kaliaganj 19 15 Nakashipara 11 16 Karimpur 6 Total 213

NGC PROGRAMME IN NADIA DISTRICT

The NGC programme has been functioning in 213 schools in the district of Nadia. These schools are implementing the National Green Corps programme distributed in 16 zones of the district, as tabulated below. The student members of the Eco-clubs were engaged in various activities conducted by the individual schools, such as seminars, nature camps, cleanliness programmes, plantation programmes, awareness rallies, survey and others.

Activities of NGC schools of Nadia District

During 2009-10 the following activities were organized by various Eco-clubs of the district:  Workshop The District level workshop with the teacher-in-charges of 213 no.s Eco-clubs was organized at Satyapriya Bhavan, Krishnanagar on August 29, 2009. Eminent persons delivered valuable lectures during the workshop.

39  Celebration of important days All schools of the district participated in programmes organized on the occasion of World Environment Day, Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day, Science Day and Forest week, Wetland Day.  Seminar A number of seminars were organized in different schools on environmentally significant topics, like, Global warming, Biodiversity etc.  Eco-club competition & performance evaluation About 110 no.s of Eco-clubs participated in district level competition on different environmental issues.  Plantation A number of schools organized plantation programme during Forest week, i.e., 14-20 July 2009.  Nature Study Camp Some schools organized Nature study camp at Haringhata in Kalyani.

Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in Nadia District

Plant identification programme Awareness Rally

Nature study camp Cleanliness drive

Wetland survey by school students

40 DISTRICT: NORTH 24 PARGANAS

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

Located between 23°15'2'' to 22°11'6''N and 89°5' to 88°20' E, the district of North 24 Parganas covers 4094 Sq. Km., which is almost 4.61 per cent of the state. The densely populated urban fringe of the metropolitan city of Calcutta with already built up city of Salt Lake and the up-coming New City at Rajarhat on one side and the remote riverine villages in the Sundarbans on the other has made this district rich in all the activities. Agriculture, Industry and pisciculture are at their peak in the district.

Table 26: NGC Schools in different zones of North 24 parganas district Sl. No. Name of the Zone No of Eco-clubs 1. Barrackpore North 54 2. Barrackpore North – I 25 3. Barrackpore South 36 4. Barrackpore South West 22 5. Dum Dum – I 25 6. Dum Dum 37 7. Barasat – I 62 8. Barasat – II 07 9. Habra 48 10. Rajarhat 24 11. Bonagaon 64 12. Basirhat 41 13. Swarupnagar Baduria 12 14. Haroa-Minakha 36 15. Sandeshkhali 31 16. Hasnabad-Hingalganj 16 Total 540

NGC PROGRAMME IN NORTH 24 PARGANAS DISTRICT The NGC programme has been functioning in 540 schools in the district of North 24 Parganas. The student members of the Eco-clubs were engaged in various activities such as seminars, nature study camps, cleanliness programmes, plantation programmes, awareness rallies, survey and others. The schools in the district are further grouped into five sub-divisions for the smooth functioning of the NGC programme namely, Bidhannagar, Barasat, Barrackpur, Bongaon and Basirhat.

Table 27: NGC Activities of North 24 Parganas district

Activities No. of participating schools Seminar & Talks 540 Field Visits 175 Plantation Programmes 500 Cleanliness in school & locality 320 Awareness by rallies (Anti tobacco, anti war, Plastic) 210

41 Activities No. of participating schools Survey works on Biodiversity & health awareness 160 Medicinal plant gardening 120 Wall Magazine 110 Construction of vat for garbage 30 Eco-club Board 400 Nature Study Camps 40 Eco-club Diary 410 Observation of important days: a. World Environment Day 500 b. World Health Day 150 c. National Science Day 120 d. Wetland Day 210 Anti war Day 125 e. Anti Drug Day 200 School level Competition: 'Prakriti Amader' 210 Other Activities: a. Children's Science Festival 90 b. Deputation against Pollution 120 c. AIDS Day 20 Awareness Programmes: a. Health & Sanitation 150 b. Colored food & drink 60 c. Global Warming 310 d. Camp on total solar eclipse 220

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

 Workshop A district-level workshop was organized at Barasat district office, on July 5, 2009. Representatives of the Eco-clubs actively participated in this workshop.

 Special Programme on Total Solar eclipse Members of some Eco-clubs organized a camp on 22.7.09 at various places of the district to observe the astronomical event and also organized a campaign programme for common people to create awareness and fight against superstitions amongst them.

 Relief Programme All the Eco-clubs of Sandeshkhali and Hasnabad-Hingalganj zone took part in relief camps for victims of AILA in Sundarbans.

 Rain water harvesting All the Eco-clubs of Sandeshkhali and Hasnabad-Hingalganj zone organized various programmes on Rain water harvesting and biodiversity survey in mangrove forest of Sundarban area.

 Campaign Programmes Eco-clubs of Habra zone organized campaign programmes on restriction and unlawful practice of using plastic carry bags, use and cultivation of Guppy fishes in high drain passes in Habra town. apart from these, almost all the Eco-clubs of the district carried out seminars, rallies, nature study camps throughout the year to generate more awareness among local people.

42 Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in North 24 Parganas District

Students participating in Poster Display Competition Nature Study Camp

Street Play on differene Environmental Issues Awareness Rally

Sit and Draw competition on Environmental Issues

Cleanliness Drive Students participating in Seminar

43 DISTRICT: PASCHIM MEDINIPORE

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

Paschim Medinipur district has been carved from the erstwhile Midnapore district and came into existence from 1st January 2002. The district is situated in the South Western side of West Bengal, bounded by Bankura and Purulia district in the North, Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts of Orrisa in the South, Hooghly and Purba Medinipur district in the East and Singhbhum district of Jharkhand and Purulia district of West Bengal in West having total geographical area of 9295.28 sq. km. and population of 5193411 as per census 2001. It consists of 4 Sub-divisions- Kharagpur, Midnapore, Jhargram and Ghatal, 27 Police Stations, 29 Blocks and 8 Municipalities.

Table 28: NGC schools in different zones of Paschim Medinipore district

Name of the zone No. of Eco Clubs No. of Members Medinipore 73 6,135 Kharagpur 158 8,864 Jhargram 53 2,221 Ghatal 35 1,932 Total 319 19,152

NGC PROGRAME IN PASCHIM MEDINIPORE DISTRICT

In the district of Pashchim Medinipur, 319 schools were involved in the NGC programme and 19,152 students were members of Eco-clubs of these schools. The Eco-clubs were found to be very enthusiastic about their activities. Table 29: NGC Activities of Paschim Medinipore district

Observation of School Medicinal Best Name of the Survey Nature Observation of Other World Cleaning Plant Eco-club zones work Study Forest Week Activities Environment Day programme Gardening activities

Medinipore 61 10 8 72 62 122 14 5

Kharagpur 143 12 39 181 123 189 18 16

Jhargram 22 7 1 21 12 34 6 3

Ghatal 29 11 8 28 31 37 5 8

Total 255 40 56 302 228 382 43 32

44 ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

District level workshops

4 No.s of District level workshops were organized for 4 different zones of the district on 4 separate days. The schedule is as below:

Zone Date of Workshop Venue of Workshop

Kharagpur 19.6.09 Belda Ganganagar Academy, Belda

Ghatal 22.6.09 Ghatal Vidyasagar High School

Common Activities

The student members of the Eco-clubs of the district were engaged in various activities conducted by the individual schools, such as seminars, nature camps, cleanliness programmes, plantation programmes, awareness rallies and survey. Other activities include nature study camps, seminar sessions, publication of wall magazines, camps on health awareness, etc.

Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in Paschim Medinipore District

45 DISTRICT: PURBA MEDINIPUR

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

Purba Medinipore district was formed on January 1, 2002 after splitting of the previous Midnapore district into two parts, i.e., Paschim Medinipore and Purba Medinipore. The Purba Medinipore district has 4 sub-divisions: Tamluk, Contai, Egra and Haldia. The major Rivers of the district are- Rupnarayan, Haldi, Kangsabati, Chandia

Table 30: NGC Schools in different Zones of Purba Medinipore district

Sl. No. Name of Sub-division Total No. of schools Total No. of Eco-clubs 1. Kanthi 191 59 2. Egra 128 90 3. Tamluk 223 79 4. Haldia 123 58 Total 665 286

NGC PROGRAMME IN PURBA MEDINIPORE DISTRICT

The NGC programme has been functioning by 286 Eco-clubs in different schools of the district. Some of the students members of the Eco-clubs of each school were engaged in various activities such as seminars, school cleaning programmes, plantation programmes, awareness rallies and other activities. The schools in the district were divided into five sub-divisions for the smooth functioning of the NGC programme namely Kanthi, Egra, Tamluk and Haldia.

Various activities undertaken by the schools 1. Seminar 2. Celebration of World Environment Day 3. Cleanliness drive 4. Plantation programme 5. Medicinal Plant Gardening 6. Survey work 7. Nature Study 8. Awareness generation programme 9. Awareness by rallies 10. Others 11. Celebration of World Environment Day

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

 Cleanliness Drive Almost all the Eco-clubs take up the initiatives for cleaning the school premises by student members 2-3 times or more every year. As part of this drive the students cleaned their class rooms, toilets and school fields and special emphasis was given both on personal and community hygiene.

 Celebration of Forest Week (Aranya Saptaha) Forest Week (Aranya Saptaha) was celebrated from July 14 to 20, 2009 in the district with much enthusiasm. Various initiatives like, encouraging general people towards plantation on any type of waste-lands or barren lands, rallies, plantation programme, seminars etc. were undertaken by the Eco-club members during Forest week.

46  Celebration of World Environment Day World Environment Day was celebrated on 5th June 2009 like previous years in the district with great interest. Different schools take up various activities, like, plantation programme, seminars, cleanliness drive, plastic cleaning around school premises, Talks, rallies etc. on this day.

 Medicinal Plant Gardening Some of the Eco-clubs have started making medicinal plant garden within the school premises from this year.

 Seminar All the Eco-club schools organized seminars on various environmental subjects including natural disaster.

 Celebration of World Wetland Day Some schools celebrated Celebration of World Wetland Day on 16.6.09 through various activities.

Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in Purba Medinipore District

Nature Study Camp

Cleanliness drive

Workshop on Environment Awareness Rally

47 DISTRICT: PURULIA

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

Purulia is the westernmost district of West Bengal with all-India significance because of its tropical location, its shape as well as function like a funnel. It funnels not only the tropical monsoon current from the Bay to the subtropical parts of north-west India, but also acts as a gateway between the developed industrial belts of West Bengal and the hinterlands in Orissa, Jharkhand, and Uttarpradesh. Ajodhya Hill is not only a tourist spot but also an experimental growth center for cultivation of Tea. Oilseed milling, silk and cotton weaving, and cane work and shellac manufacture are the major industries. A dam across the Kasai near Purulia provides a reservoir, flood control, and irrigation for the area.

NGC PROGRAMME IN PURULIA DISTRICT

The NGC programme has been functioning in 130 schools in the district of Purulia. The member students of the Eco-clubs are guided by some class representatives. The student members of the eco-clubs were engaged in various activities conducted by the individual schools, such as seminars, nature camps, cleanliness programmes, plantation programmes, awareness rallies, survey and others.

Table 31: NGC Schools in different Blocks of Purulia District

Name of Block/ Municipality No of NGC schools Arsha 5 Baghmundi 5 Balarampur 6 Bandwan 4 Barabazar 4 Hura 8 Joypur 5 Jhalda - I 5 Jhalda - II 5 Jhalda Municipality 2 Kashipur 12 Manbazar - I 7 Manbazar - II 5 Neturia 4 Para 10 Puncha 4 Purulia - I 4 Purulia - II 9 Purulia Municipality 12 Raghunathpur - I 4 Raghunathpur - II 4 Raghunathpur Municipality 2 Santuri 4 Total 130

48 Table-32 : Various activities undertaken by the schools

No. of Sl. No. Activities participating schools 1 Seminar 24 2 Cleanliness Drive 61 3 Gardening 38 4 World Environment Day 43 5 Forestry Week 74 6 Nature observation 19 7 Pollution Awareness 25 8 Fight for peace & harmony 30 9 Birthday of scientists 25 10 Cultural Activities 41 11 Survey Work 10 12 Health awareness programmes 24 13 Wetland Day 1 14 Others 25

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

Common activities of the Eco-clubs of the district include the following: a) Rainwater harvesting campaign b) Observance of significant days and weeks c) Frequent cleanliness drives d) Local surveys on the source and level of pollution, biodiversity, drinking water, wetland, etc e) Plantation Programme and campaign against deforestation f) Nature study Programmes g) Campaign against use of plastic carry bags h) Awareness rally i) Cultural competition j) Health check-up camps k) District level Seminars & Workshops on various environmental matters l) Sit & Draw Competition

49 Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in Purulia District

Cleanliness drive Medicinal Plant Garden

Plantation Programme Wetland Survey

50 DISTRICT: SOUTH 24 PARGANAS

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

South 24 Parganas is situated at the extreme south of West Bengal having the urban fringe of Kolkata on one side and the remote riverine villages in the Sunderbans on the other. It has a population of 69,09,015 as per 2001 census. The main industries in this place are agriculture, pisciculture and forestry. Some of the places of interest in South 24 Parganas are Ganga Sagar, Bakkhali and Sundarbans, which is rich in large estuarine mangrove forest area and home to various wild animals including the famous Royal Bengal Tiger and crocodiles.

Table 33: NGC Schools in different Sub-divisions and zones of South 24 Parganas district

Name of the Sub- Sl. No. Name of the zone No. of Eco-clubs division 1 Alipur Budge Budge 28 Bishnupur 22 Maheshtala 30 2 Baruipur Baruipur 19 Dakshin Barasat 19 Bhangor 10 Sonarpur 27 3 Canning Canning- I 31 Canning-II 08 4 Daimond Harbor Sarisha-Falta 34 5 Kakdwip Kakdwip 22 Sagar 18 Pathar 23 6 Added area Jadavpur 39 Total 330

NGC PROGRAMME IN SOUTH 24 PARGANAS DISTRICT

The NGC programme has been functioning in 330 schools in the district of South 24 Parganas. The student members of the Eco-clubs were engaged in various activities such as cleaning programmes, plantation, awareness rallies and other activities.

51 Table 34: NGC Activities of South 24 Parganas district

No of Sl. No. Activities participating schools 1 Seminar 288

2 Nature Camp 177

3 Field Visit 127

4 Plantation 330

5 Cleanliness Drive 330

6 Awareness rallies 330

7 Survey 216

8 Medicinal Plant 287 Garden

9 Kitchen Garden 52

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

 Celebration of Sundarban Day All the Eco-club students and teachers took up a special programme to celebrate Sundarban Day on 21.8.09. During the programme the Eco-club students took part in procession holding up placards with various slogans. Aprt from this there were plantation programme, important lectures etc.

 Eco-club Zonal Workshop Eco-club members took active initiative to organize workshops on various environmental subjects.

 Wall Magazine

Eco-club members published wall-magazine consisting of writings on various environmental issues, its suggested remedies etc. enhancing the students' awareness about the global environmental problems.

 Nature Study Camp Some of the Eco-clubs organized Nature Study camps at different ecologically significant areas.

52 Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in South 24 Parganas District

Plantation programme Awareness Rally

Sit and draw competition on Environmental Issues Nature Study Camp

District level Workshop

53 DISTRICT: UTTAR DINAJPUR

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

On 1st April, 1992 the erstwhile West Dinajpur District was divided into Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur and since then both the districts came into existence on the map of West Bengal. Uttar Dinajpur District lies between 25o11'N to 26o49'N and 87o49'E to 90o00'E occupying an area of 3142 Sq. Km. enclosed by Bangladesh on the east, Bihar on the west, Darjeeling & Jalpaiguri District on the north and Malda District on the south. It is is well connected with the rest of the State through National Highways (NH-31 and NH-34), State Highways and Railways. The regional topography is generally flat with a gentle southerly slope towards which the main rivers like Kulik, Nagar, Mahananda etc flow. The District forms a part of the basin lying between Rajmahal hills on the East and is bestowed with a very fertile soil, which is very rich in nature due to the alluvial deposition which helps to grow paddy, jute, mesta, sugarcane etc. Raiganj on the bank of the River Kulik is the District Headquarter where 'Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary' the second largest bird sanctuary in Asia is situated.

NGC PROGRAMME OF UTTAR DINAJPUR DISTRICT

The NGC programme has been functioning in 111 schools in the district of Uttar Dinajpur. The student members of the Eco-clubs were engaged in various activities, such as seminars, nature camps, cleanliness programmes, plantation programmes, awareness rallies, survey on environmental pollution and other activities like study of birds, sky watch, field study etc. Seminars were held on issues such as observation of World Environment Day, World Wetland Day and discussions on various environmental and social issues. The different activities undertaken by the individual schools of the district is tabulated below.

Table 35: Activities of NGC schools of Uttar Dinajpur district

No. of participating schools Activities Jul-Sep'09 Oct-Dec'09 Jan-Mar'010 Jul-Sep'09 Seminar/ Talk 70 62 40 13260 Field Study Plantation Programme 72 58 43 13440 Medicinal Plant Garden Awareness by rallies 44 32 19 12550 Other Events

54 ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

 Awareness Programmes

Various awareness programmes like identification of birds and insects, preparing medicinal plant garden and nursing them, awareness rallies, cleanliness drive were the different modes of awareness programmes adopted the Eco-clubs of the district.

 Medicinal Plant Garden

The Eco-club student members made medicinal plant gardens with rare plant varieties. In this way, the conservation of biodiversity was also made by the students. The teachers-in-charge helped the students by providing with basic scientific details and know-hows on these plants.

Photo Gallery of NGC Activities in Uttar Dinajpur District

Plantation programme

Sit and draw competition on Environmental Issues Nature Study Camp

Village Survey District level Workshop

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