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Goa Schools Cultivate Urban Wildlife Habitats
14 Jul
Summary
- Schools will create urban wildlife host corners on campuses.
- Teachers are trained by WWF India to foster habitat gardens.
- Students will observe and document wildlife for conservation projects.
Under the National Education Policy (NEP), government and aided schools in Goa are establishing urban wildlife host corners on their campuses. Around 500 teachers have received training from WWF India for this initiative, focusing on creating natural habitats within school grounds. These dedicated patches will be allowed to grow without manicuring to host birds, insects, and small mammals, fostering urban biodiversity.
The program aims to provide students from Class VI to VIII with hands-on learning experiences in wildlife conservation. Each student will develop a personal folio documenting their observations of the habitat garden. WWF India has provided schools with guides on host plants and attracting butterflies. Elements like broken tile pieces and wooden structures will be introduced to offer shelter for insects and small animals, alongside bird baths to attract avian life.
These school habitat patches are expected to encourage pollination of urban trees and promote an understanding of ecological services, such as the role of dragonflies in controlling mosquito populations. The initiative is designed as a natural laboratory, allowing students to learn through direct observation and participation in projects like village biodiversity registers, contributing to their vocational education in conservation and sustainability.
