Extreme climate change and its far-reaching impacts have been identified as the top global risk of 2024 by 66% of leaders surveyed by the World Economic Forum. But tackling environmental challenges isn’t just the work of global leaders—it’s also being championed by unexpected heroes. In a small district of Uttar Pradesh, at Swami Vivekananda Arunoday Vidyalay (SVAV) in Hapur, a group of underprivileged students is leading the charge with an initiative called Nirmal Sankalp.
What is Nirmal Sankalp? The name, derived from Sanskrit, combines ‘Nirmal,’ meaning clean and pure, with ‘Sankalp,’ meaning commitment. True to its name, this project reflects the children’s sincere dedication to fostering a clean and green environment. It represents a simple yet profound resolution by the students—free of inhibition or pretension—to contribute meaningfully to environmental preservation.
SVAV, a school supported by Merino Industries Limited—a global leader in decorative laminates—caters exclusively to children from economically weaker sections. Beyond formal education, the school empowers its students with value-based learning, encouraging them to contribute meaningfully to society. ‘Nirmal Sankalp’ is one such initiative born out of this ethos.
I believe that children are the gift of God, very pure, and they grow up the way you nurture them and the kind of environment you provide them. Swami Vivekananda said, “Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man. … Education is not the amount of information that is put into your brain and runs riot there, undigested, all your life. We must have life-building, man-making, character-making, assimilation of ideas. If you have assimilated five ideas and made them your life and character, you have more education than any man who has got by heart a whole library.”
Swami Ji’s emphasis on “life-building” and “man-making” suggests the importance of fostering a deep connection with nature, instilling values of stewardship and responsibility towards the environment, and nurturing a sense of interconnectedness with all living beings.
In today’s world, climate change has rightfully become a cardinal global concern. Among the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SDG-13 specifically focuses on Climate Action. Envisioned in 2015, the 17 SDGs are grouped into five overarching categories: Human Development, Environmental Sustainability, Economic Growth & Prosperity, Peace & Justice, and Partnerships for the Goals. These goals aim to address pressing global issues such as poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and social justice, building a sustainable and inclusive world by 2030.
Nirmal Sankalp exemplifies SVAV’s commitment to these goals, particularly environmental sustainability, as part of the Green School Program (GSP) developed by the Centre for Science and Environment.
The primary goal of Nirmal Sankalp is to instil in students a deep sense of responsibility not only for protecting the environment but also for spreading awareness in the surrounding communities. In a world grappling with the escalating challenge of waste generation, the students at SVAV focus on minimizing waste, exploring avenues for reuse and recycling, and adopting practices that reduce carbon footprints, emissions, and promote efficient energy and water management.
Recognizing the pivotal role of education in fostering environmental stewardship, the initiative equips students with a thorough understanding of climate change and its mitigation strategies. By nurturing scientific curiosity and critical thinking, the project aspires to develop a generation of green ambassadors who actively advocate for and implement sustainable practices.
The project also draws inspiration from ancient Indian philosophy, which venerates the Pancha Mahabhootas—the five great elements of nature: Land (Bhoomi), Water (Aapah), Energy (Analah), Air (Vayu), and Space (Khang). Guided by this ethos and aligned with the framework of the Green School Program, the students have formed six core groups, each focusing on a specific area: Land, Water, Energy, Air, Food, and Waste. Under the mentorship of their teachers, these groups delve into various aspects of environmental education, gaining practical, hands-on experience.
Through these efforts, Nirmal Sankalp not only integrates environmental consciousness into the curriculum but also transforms it into a practical experience for the students—empowering them to lead by example in their communities.
As part of the initiative, students actively engage in composting organic waste, learning first-hand the importance of waste segregation at its source. They distinguish between degradable, non-degradable, and hazardous waste while embracing the principles of reduction, reuse, and recycling.
The students also monitor air quality, identifying pollutants and understanding their impact on human health. Using tools like lux meters, they explore the effects of varying light intensity on vision, fostering a scientific understanding of environmental factors.
Water conservation has become a key focus, with students implementing practices to reduce wastage and replenish groundwater through rainwater harvesting. In the realm of energy, they analyze the school’s consumption patterns and advocate for renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and biomass, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
The food team plays a vital role in raising awareness about the risks of junk food consumption while promoting the benefits of freshly prepared meals provided by the school three times a day—ensuring the students’ well-being beyond academics. Complementing their efforts, the land team focuses on sustainable practices to enhance land fertility and expand green coverage within the school premises, promoting organic and eco-friendly methods.
Recognizing the importance of student leadership, Nirmal Sankalp encourages active participation through a rotational system, ensuring every student contributes to the initiative. This hands-on approach transforms environmental education into a journey of continuous learning, empowering students with knowledge, skills, and a sense of responsibility for sustainable living.
Nirmal Sankalp nurtures a generation of eco-warriors who actively contribute to the fight against climate change. These students learn, act, and advocate for the environment, embodying a sincere commitment to protecting our planet.
This initiative is a testament to how education and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. By following the lead of these young changemakers, we can collectively tackle the challenges of climate change, working towards a better, greener future and safeguarding our planet for generations to come.
Article is contributed by Manabendra Nath Sanyal, Board member, CYDA
This Post Has 4 Comments
Excellent initiative to integrate green / renewable energy, waste management, SDG -13, health risks of consuming junk food, water conservation, rain water harvesting, climate change and many other things, all fostering environmental
stewardship. Must be replicated by other educational institutions across the country. Best wishes.
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement!
Ours is a non profit organisation working with underprivileged communities in Odisha focusing on livelihood security, gender equality, climate action, disaster resiliency etc. Under climate action we promote organic farming by women farmers including composting and various methods of organic manure and pesticide preparation and use. Secondly we promote water conservation throgh fish ponds, community plantation, No plastic campaign, solar energy promotion etc. we want to connect with you and learn and network for better impact. Thanks. Kedar Chaudhury- CEO-DSS
Kindly write us an email to [email protected] or you can connect with us on Mobile – +91 91790 84484