123 Kolkata: The West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) on Monday took a significant step towards fostering environmental awareness among young minds by organising a nature study camp at Jayanti in the Buxa Tiger Reserve, north Bengal. This initiative, aimed at immersing students in nature, aligns with ‘Mission LiFE'—a global movement advocating a sustainable lifestyle to combat climate change. The WBPCB plans to expand the initiative across the state.
Under its Environment Education Programme (EEP), the WBPCB invited eco-club students from various schools in Alipurduar and neighbouring districts for a two-day nature study camp, workshop, and model exhibition. Scheduled for March 24-25, the event wa held in collaboration with EEP-enlisted schools at Jayanti, a picturesque location within Buxa National Park.
A total of 100 students from 10 schools across Cooch Behar and Alipurduar were selected to participate in this immersive experience. Living in tents, trekking nature trails, and closely observing biodiversity, the students are gaining a hands-on understanding of ecological conservation and the principles of Mission LiFE.
WBPCB chairman Kalyan Rudra said, "There is no second Earth. Our planet is in grave danger as we surpassed all previous records in carbon emissions. Bengal, a microcosm of India with the Himalayas in the north and the sea in the south, is particularly vulnerable to climate change."
"The students were exposed to nature in its raw beauty to instil lifelong lessons about environmental conservation," said Subrata Ghosh, officer on special duty, WBPCB.