Mizoran eco clubs model to be replicated in rest of India

Aizawl, Nov 19 (UNI) Mizoram achieved appreciation from the Centre for successful implementation of National Green Crop Programme (NGCP) at school level during 2005-06 along with West Bengal and Asom.

The latest evaluation report of NGCP, Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), said considering the effectiveness of the programme and its impact, it could be suitably replicated in other states.

Talking to UNI here state co-ordinator of Mizoram environmental information system (ENVIS) and nodal officer of NGCP C Lalduhawma said with the success of NGCP in the state, MoEF has increased the fund for setting up more eco clubs in the state in next year.

According to a recent communique, MoEF asked the Mizoram governemnt to establish 150 eco clubs in each district at secondary and higher secondary schools of the state.

It also asked the government to emphasise on the environment managment programme under NGCP, Lalduhawma said.

The MoEF has set up eco clubs in the schools to educate children about their immediate environment and impart knowledge on eco-systems, inter-dependence and their need for survival by instilling the spirit of scientific inquiry into environmental problems and involving them in the efforts of environmental preservation.

The mid-term evaluation of NGCP has envisaged that the performance of the eco clubs in Mizoram, Asom and West Bangal were relevant and quality of resource material provided to eco clubs for capacity building has been found implemented successfully.

''MoEF has enhanced the annual financial assistance of Rs 2500 to each eco club from this year, which was only Rs 1000 in previous year while science popularisation programme as well as training for environment management has also been drawn up for the state'', Mr Lalduhawma said.

NGCP is an environmental awareness programme launched by MoEF in 2002 to make children understand the environmental problems and to bring the younger generation into direct contact with emerging ecological challenges.

Mr Lalduhawma said Mizoram is one of the three states of the country, which successfully implemented the project and was able to involve the children in action based activities for protection of environment.

The implementaion of NGCP in Mizoram is quite satisfactory as is evidenced by the performance of 1108 eco clubs even in remote parts of the state. The sustained campaign on conservation of natural resources to make people understand the importance of NGCP have been highly appreciated by MoEF, he stated.

''We are encouraging the eco clubs to popularise plantation, observance of important environmental events, maintaining eco gardens, cleanliness drive within and outside schools through postering, seminar, road show and organising different competitions among the children and the success is of course better than any other states of northeast,'' Mr Lalduhawma claimed.

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