Ministry of Environment Spent Rs 142.32 Cr to Implement Environment Education Scheme in 2017-19: Babul Supriyo

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The ministry of environment on Wednesday informed Lok Sabha that a total of Rs 142.32 crore was spent between 2017 and 2019 for the implementation of the Environment Education, Awareness, and Training scheme.

The Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Babul Supriyo, informed in a written reply to a question that about 1.6 lakh eco clubs have been formed in schools and colleges across the country under the National Green Corps program of this scheme.

He also stated that Nature camps are organised for school children in protected areas under this scheme.

"The Ministry of Environment is implementing Environmental Education, Awareness, and Training Scheme to promote environmental awareness among all sections of the society, especially school and college-level students, and to mobilize people's participation for conservation of the environment," Babul Supriyo added.

Eco Clubs Established in Schools & Colleges

Babul Supriyo informed that Rs 49.65 crore, Rs 39.49 crore, and Rs 53.18 crore had been spent during financial years 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20, to implement this scheme.

The minister further informed that a network of about 1.6 lakh eco clubs have been constructed in schools and colleges across the country under the National Green Corps program of the scheme. Around 40 lakh students are an active part of this program.

"Besides, under the National Nature Camping Programme of this Scheme, nature camps are organized for school students in protected areas (Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, etc.). Training is also provided to teachers and students on various environmental issues like biodiversity conservation, pollution, waste management, etc. through capacity building programs," Supriyo added.

Green Good Deeds

The minister stated Green Good Deeds (GGDs), a social movement is one of the components of the scheme with a goal to educate green good habits and behavior among all sections of the society.

Regarding this scheme, Babul Supriyo revealed, "The GGDs initiative is about simple, practical steps that students/teachers/citizens can perform in their day-to-day life towards the protection of the environment.”

Apart from this, “Cleanliness drives as part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, plantation drives, awareness on waste management, minimizing the use of single-use plastic, celebrating Green Diwali, etc. are some activities undertaken by the school and college-level students under the initiative,” he added.

Supriyo also stated that under the World Bank-aided project 'Capacity Building for Industrial Pollution Management (CBIPM)' was carried out by the environment ministry.Rs 35.88 crores in West Bengal, Rs 24 crore in Andhra Pradesh, and Rs 2.28 crore in Telangana had been spent during 2017-18.