The "Program to Conserve the Urban Biodiversity of West Bengal with School Students, 2008-2009 and 2010-2011 and its precursor in 2004-2005, funded by RSG laid the foundation of the GREEN RHINO Program.
ASED has worked with 16 urban schools in India to create future environmental leaders through our Green Rhinos Program. For detailed information of the complete work of ourproject, please visit: http://www.rufford.org/files/1063-C%20Final%20Report.pdf
The project has ended its final phase and students across the country have completing their nature conservation projects
In Kolkata and Siliguri, projects have centred around gathering information on local biodiversity and urban green areas. These include building a butterfly garden and refuge, gathering information on local trees, studying urban ponds and fish biodiversity near cities. In Delhi, projects feature awareness building activities. Students are raising awareness by first making changes in their own lives. Other projects are greening building complexes by encouraging people to use indoor plants, have green roofs and verandas; staging school and street plays to create awareness and support for rational resource consumption.
After successful completion of the "Programme to Conserve Urban Biodiversity of West Bengal with School Children" ASED was awarded a booster grant for the second phase of the project by Rufford Small Grants, UK. This phase of the project commenced from January 2009. We worked with four schools in Kolkata, one school in Howrah and two schools in Durgapur with core groups of 25 students and 2 teachers. The Core Groups have been being trained in Biodiversity Recording and Conservation.
A programme in which 5 schools of Kolkata and 2 schools in Durgapur participated. Supported by Rufford Small Grants, U.K. Core groups of 25 school students and 2 teachers in each school were trained in biodiversity observation and recording. They conducted action-based projects to conserve the biodiversity around them.
Some of the school-based projects were:
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Sarengabad Jajneswari Girl's School, Kolkata conducted a status survey of the Water Monitor Lizard (Varanussalvator) in their local area and prepared a survey report
Ananda Ashram Balika Vidyapith conserved the biodiversity within their school campus, mapping the vegetation in the school neighbourhood and creating public awareness in the locality.
Beltala Girls' School created a medicinal plant garden in the school campus and conducted a cultural programme to create awareness in their school about biodiversity conservation.
Durgapur T.N High School planted saplings of locally found trees in the school campus.
Durgapur Sagarvanga Govt. Sponsored High School planted trees and shrubs in the school campus and listed the insects found there.
Children's Foundation and Metropolitan (Main) Institution, due to lack of space, created a potted plant garden.
A project sharing workshop was held on 30 January 2008 in Kolkata. The participants' future plans were to:
Further ongoing school projects.
Create more public awareness about biodiversity conservation and
Network with other schools to strengthen the program, share experiences and learn from each other.
