Showcasing national exhibition of forest and biodiversity-based products
A national exhibition of forest and biodiversity-based products was organized by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India from January 16-31 at the Dilli Haat . The Green Haat (marketplace) showcased non-timber forest produce, both agro processed and crafts, mainly in the following categories: Forest handicraft; herbal & medicinal products, and forest-based food items.
The event was inaugurated by the Minister of Environment and Forests, Ms. Jayanthi Natrajan.
17 Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) NGO partners of United Nations Development Programme / Center for Environment Education participated in the Green Haat. The average footfall was around 5000 on the weekdays and 10,000 on weekends. A few of the NGO partners also linked up with a Delhi based Eco-Store that would be selling their products on a regular basis. In addition to this, the GEF SGP projects were hugely appreciated by the visitors and the Ministry officials.
Approximately 1,50,000 people were sensitized on the importance of biodiversity and the efforts going on to conserve and protect it. Also, a total of 15,000 Biodiversity Pledges were collected at this event.
ESD sessions at in-service course for teachers
CEE North was invited to run a half-day module on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for in-service teachers specializing in English and Maths from Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan. Ms. Preeti R. Kanaujia, Programme Coordinator, CEE North along with Dr. Abdul Kalam, Project Officer, conducted two modules for teachers on December 28, 2012 and January 2, 2013 for two branches of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Lucknow.
Each module was attended by more than 35 teachers coming from different states of the country. The module included sessions on sustainable development, understanding the role of education for sustainable development, and ‘Paryavaran Mitra’ the sustainability education programme for schools.
Group work for case study analysis.
CEE North was also invited by District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) Faizabad to facilitate a session on Sustainable Development, and the Paryavaran Mitra programme. Dr. Abdul Kalam conducted a module on 18 January, in two batches, during the in-service training of primary and upper primary teachers. More than 60 teachers attended the module.
Celebrating a Animal Welfare Fortnight
CEE Jaipur with eco-clubs across the state organized a State-level celebration of Animal Welfare Fortnight. The event created awareness about the Decade of Biodiversity and also helped to sensitize students about the importance of small actions for its conservation at local level such as setting up of bird feeders, bird baths and nesting sites. This also supported the Biodiversity theme of Paryavaran Mitra Programme.
Students were oriented on nest-making by using waste material that is easily available at homes; thereby also serving as an action towards management of waste. Awareness rally and treatment camps for injured birds during the kite festival were other activities that were carried out. Field visits for a few schools were also organized to develop an understanding of interdependence in nature. About 1600 students from 38 eco clubs participated in the hands-on activities to conserve biodiversity.
As part of the event, 390 artificial nests, 860 bird feeders and water baths put up by the students.
CEE’s nomination as NGO Member
CEE’s northern regional cell was invited to make a presentation on CEE’s nationwide experience in the field of EE, and its programmes within Uttar Pradesh. Ms. Preeti R. Kanaujia, Regional Coordinator, CEE North made a presentation on January 24 at the office of Principal Secretary, Environment and Forests. In recognition of CEE’s work and experience, CEE has been nominated as a NGO member in the governing body of the Project Management Unit for the Uttar Pradesh Participatory Forest Management and Poverty Alleviation Project (UP-PFMPAP).
The UP-PFMPAP is being implemented in the 20 forest divisions spread over 14 districts of Uttar Pradesh. The Project is supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It aims at restoring degraded forests, augmenting forest resources and improving livelihood for, and empowering the local forest-dependent communities.
For effective planning, implementation and monitoring of this project, the Project Management Unit has been constituted as an autonomous society. The governing body is the highest decision making body of the autonomous society to support the executive and general body in preparation of annual action plan and budget; guiding the preparation of operation manual etc. CEE North is the implementing agency for the Children’s Forest Programme (CFP), which is one of the UP-PFMPAP programmes.
Globally Connected, Locally Engaged”!
"We say that necessity is the mother of invention; however it could also be said that it is the mother of innovation and entrepreneurship". This is what Ms Reema Banerjee, Programme Coordinator, CEE Kolkata brought back from the International Study Visit (ISV) organized under the Active Citizen programme of British Council. The international study which was organized from January 19-26, at Cryodon, UK, saw the participation of active citizens from 9 countries across globe. Ms. Banerjee, represented CEE-India at ISV.
The seven-day residential programme included various brainstorming and reflection sessions, as well as a life-time opportunity to visit to the public gallery of the Houses of UK Parliament. The facilitated visit also coincided with an appearance by Prime Minister David Cameron, who was debating the growing problem of Islamist insurgents in North Africa. The Active Citizen team also got the chance to interact with Rt Hony Sadiq Khan MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice. Replying to the question by Ms. Banerjee- “what works well, for an effective implementation of environmental law and system in his council”?, Rt Hon Sadique Khan replied that he believes it is a carrot and also a stick — making things easy for people while at the same time providing sanctions for those who break the rules.
As the week continued, the Active Citizens were organized into groups in order to visit communities across the UK. Ms. Banerjee along with five fellow participants from other countries visited Third Sector Outer Hebrides at Stornoway, Scotland. The host organisation is a steering group in the region for initiating and guiding social enterprise initiatives in order to retain the young people from moving away from the island.
The community wind turbine run by Horshader Community Development was also visited; the entire process and the strategy to make it sustainable and community driven was shared. The 900 KW turbine is the first in the Western Isles and aims to generate an income of over £ 2m for the community for the next 20 years! The Third Sector Hebrides have created Staran, which translates as pathway in the local language of Gaelic.
The ISV not only provide a training platform, but also provided an opportunity to share knowledge, learn from each other, and cascade that new knowledge gained.
Staran runs on an MOT garage which offers skills-based placements for those with substance issues. A Hebridean Chocolate business—employs eight young—people most in their early twenties, and some with special needs. The group also visited community-owned Calanais-Stones visitor centre, which caters to 40,000 visitors a year. The community visits were a real eye-opener and motivating enough for the various participants to learn and engage themselves in certain similar contexts in their organisation.
The ISV had provided room for reflection on issues as – ‘how could creativity contribute towards community cohesion; ‘what were the key challenges that one could face in securing and keeping resources; and ‘what success one may achieve?’ Ms. Banerjee shared CEE’s sustainable enterprise initiatives like the CEE –Eco-Recycling Unit and CHAMP along with various other initiatives driven towards ESD. The Paryavaranmitra film was also showcased.
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