Building Bharat: Transforming Education Through Environmental Action

In the heart of rural India, where schools are more than just places of learning—they are pillars of the community—a silent revolution is taking place. Schools are becoming the foundation for environmental action, shaping not just students but entire villages towards a greener, more sustainable future.

I recently had the honour of presenting this journey at the First ClimatEd Summit in India, held at the Bangalore International Centre. Out of numerous applicants, 13 changemakers were selected to share their work in climate education and sustainability. Representing this movement was a privilege—an opportunity to show how Panchayat-led initiatives in government schools are creating lasting change in Aspirational Districts like Nuh.

Schools as Hubs of Change: Panchayats Leading the Way

Schools are more than classrooms—they are the first places where communities come together. By working with Panchayats (local self-governments), schools are becoming the driving force for climate action, sustainability, and behavioural change in villages.

Here’s how this transformation is unfolding:

• Eco Fests: Learning Beyond Textbooks – Students aren’t just memorizing facts about climate change, they’re living the solutions. These large-scale student-led festivals are proving to be powerful tools for experiential, project-based learning, fostering ownership and environmental responsibility.
• Eco Club Activations in Nuh Schools – In the Aspirational District of Nuh, schools have become the starting point for community-wide sustainability efforts. Eco Clubs, supported by Panchayats, are leading plastic-free campaigns, tree plantation drives, and water conservation efforts, showing that change begins with the youth.
• Building as Learning Aid (BaLA) for Environment – Imagine schools where walls, gardens, and open spaces teach sustainability. Through initiatives like kitchen gardening, compost pits, rainwater harvesting, and biodiversity zones, students are learning by doing, turning their schools into living classrooms. These efforts are proving that when schools embrace sustainability, entire communities follow.

Recognizing Local Impact at a National Stage

One of the most inspiring moments at the Summit was my conversation with Ms. Chong Shimray, NCERT’s Environmental Education Lead. She was particularly appreciative of our activity-driven learning approach, reinforcing that true education extends beyond textbooks into real-life applications.

The Summit was a reminder that grassroots action is the key to building a sustainable Bharat. When schools, Panchayats, and communities come together, they don’t just create change—they shape the future for generations to come.