On June 5, Shikharapur Community Learning Center (SCLC), a partner organization of ONGD-FNEL, Luxembourg, celebrated World Environment Day in the bottle house with staff, residential students, and intern students. World Environment Day is observed annually on this date as a global initiative led by the United Nations to promote environmental awareness and action. This year’s theme, “Our Land, Our Future. We are #Generation Restoration,” focuses on reducing plastic waste and encouraging sustainable practices. SCLC, known for its active role in community development, organized a series of events to commemorate this important day.
Objectives
The primary objectives of the World Environment Day celebration are:
- Raise Environmental Awareness: Educate the community about environmental issues and the importance of preserving natural resources
- Promote Sustainable Practices: Encourage the adoption of sustainable practices such as planting vegetables and reducing waste.
- Engage Youth Participation: Involve residential students in environmental activities to instill a sense of responsibility towards the environment.
Activities
The celebration of World Environment Day at bottle house included a variety of activities designed to engage all participants actively.
- Residential students, intern students, and staff collaborated in displaying placards and posters with messages on environmental protection around the bottle house premises.
- Residential students planted a variety of vegetables such as tomatoes, chilly, brinjal, bitter melon, cucumber, and coriander in a grow bag.
- Informative sessions were held to discuss the impacts of pollution, deforestation, and climate change.
- We celebrated the day with enthusiasm and active participation.
Learning
The celebration had a significant learning in personal level as students:
1. The hands-on experience of planting vegetables provided practical knowledge of sustainable farming practices.
2. The creation and presentation of posters improved their communication and artistic abilities.
3. Interactions between students, interns, staff, and community members strengthened community bonds and encouraged continuous engagement in environmental activities.
Some organization level learnings:
Community Engagement and Environmental Education: The celebration at Shikharapur Community Learning Center effectively raised environmental awareness and promoted sustainable practices by involving residential and intern students, and staff in educational activities such as poster displays and informative sessions on pollution, deforestation, and climate change.
Practical Sustainability Initiatives: Hands-on activities like planting vegetables in grow bags highlighted the importance of practical, sustainable actions and fostered a sense of responsibility among participants, particularly the youth, towards environmental conservation.
Youth Involvement in Environmental Action: The celebration prioritized youth engagement by involving residential students in environmental activities, helping them develop a deeper connection with nature and an understanding of their role in environmental restoration.
Collaborative Efforts for a Greener Future: The event showcased the power of collaboration among staff, students, and interns in promoting environmental sustainability, reinforcing the idea that collective efforts can lead to significant positive changes in protecting and preserving the environment.
Impacts
The celebration of World Environment Day at bottle house had a significant positive impact.
1. The event successfully raised awareness about environmental issues among students and staff. The creative placards and posters helped convey important messages in an engaging and memorable way.
2. The awareness sessions inspired people to adopt more environmentally friendly habits, such as reducing waste, recycling, and conserving resources. The practical tips provided during the sessions equipped with the knowledge to make small but meaningful changes in their daily lives.
Here are some more Impacts:
· Increased environmental awareness among participants
· Enhanced sense of community and teamwork
· Improved practical knowledge of sustainable practices
· Positive behavioral changes towards waste reduction and resource conservation
· Strengthened commitment to environmental protection among youth
· Visible improvement in the local environment through planting activities
Conclusion
The World Environment Day celebration at Shikharapur Community Learning Center successfully fostered environmental awareness and sustainable practices among participants. Through engaging activities like poster displays, informative sessions, and vegetable planting, the event highlighted the importance of environmental conservation and youth involvement. The enthusiastic participation of staff, residential students, and interns demonstrated a strong community commitment to protecting our land for the future. This celebration not only educated participants on critical environmental issues but also inspired them to adopt practical, eco-friendly actions, reinforcing the center’s role in promoting sustainable development within the community.
The event not only raised awareness about critical environmental issues but also empowered the community to adopt more sustainable practices in their daily lives. These visual aids carried messages on topics such as reducing plastic use, conserving water, and the importance of recycling. The posters served as educational tools, sparking conversations among students and staff about various environmental challenges and solutions.
By involving the youth in meaningful activities like vegetable planting and creating educational posters, the event succeeded in fostering a sense of environmental stewardship among the next generation. The Shikharapur Community Learning Center remains committed to promoting environmental education and sustainable living, ensuring a greener and healthier future for all.
Event Report/Web News By:
Shristi Bisunke, (Team Leader)
Team Members: Rupa Diwali, Suvekshya Humagain, Prajita Raila, (Social Work Interns from Padma Kanya College, Kathmandu) and Prasna Aryal (Freelance)
