Prakriti, the environment club of Abu Dhabi Indian School, is one of the oldest clubs of the school. Over the past 29 years it has gone from strength to strength in achieving its mission of preserving the environment and spreading awareness within the school and the local communities. As a part of the sustainable school initiative by the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency, the club in collaboration with the agency has been organizing a variety of programmes to raise awareness about the various environmental issues which plague the world and the region.
VISION – A safe planet for future generations through environmental preservation and sustainability by instilling responsible habits.
MISSION – To preserve the environment and create awareness in society about various environmental issues which plague the world and region. To lead sustainable lives.
CLUB COORDINATORS: Mrs. Huffrish Parekh (Girls Shift), Dr. Aditi Hazra (Boys Shift)
External Outreach Programmes
Our external outreach Programme includes various programmes which raise awareness in the community of Abu Dhabi.
Save the Hammour Project –was initiated to raise awareness and protect the endangered marine species of UAE. Students visited eateries, markets and held street play to raise awareness about the Hammour fish which is on the brink of extinction.
Hold that drop “Save Water Campaign” – was launched on 8th November 2018, under the able guidance of the school Principal, Mr. Neeraj Bhargava. This is the premier outreach programme of the school and club. It aims to educate the community on the implications of indiscriminate use of water.
The first initiative under this campaign was an attempt for the Guinness book of world records by 998 students at the school, for the largest human image of infinity on 27thNovember 2018. The infinity loop represented an indefinitely continuing water cycle and the need to keep it moving. It conveyed the message, “We must save water and respect water resources”.
The students held various programmes at different public places like malls to reach out to the larger section of society. The programme included flash mob, street play, songs, presentations and a quiz.
The school organized one of the longest human chains on February 7, 2020, which spanned from Al Sahil to Al Bahar Corniche, in Abu Dhabi, raising awareness about the need to save water. Approximately 8000 people participated in the event.
Abu Dhabi Indian School, Muroor organized an ambitious online summit, entitled ‘Save Water Summit’ on the 16th and 17th of September, 2020. The two-day summit, which was aired live on YouTube, constituted of four panel discussions each aimed at disseminating awareness about the current situation and concerns regarding our water supplies. A strong viewership was received with participation from more than 20 schools from the UAE as well as India.
A club fair was organized where various clubs of the school presented their perspectives of water in their own unique style.
Internal Outreach Programmes
Our internal outreach programme includes programmes initiated within the school.
Campaign against packaged drinking water in school – a survey is conducted annually on packaged drinking water. Various campaigns are held in the school to convince students to avoid packaged water.
Plastic Collection Drive – used plastic products are collected by students on 10th of each month. The main aim of this campaign is to reduce high rates of plastic pollution while putting less pressure on virgin materials to produce brand new plastic products.
E waste collection drive – the club with the help of enviroserve has recycled nearly 1000kgs of e waste over a period of time. Electrical items are collected and then sent for recycling.
Celebration of various days & activities of environmental significance – The students regularly celebrate earth day, biodiversity day, ozone day, world water day, world environment day, and Arab environment day. Various inter and intra competitions are held by the school.
Field Trips and clean-up drive
Students volunteer regularly for various clean-up activities like the beach clean-up, Shramdaan i.e. cleaning and watering of plants in school premises.
The club members also visit places which educate them about the various sustainable issues and their solutions. Some of the places visited by the club members are Masdar city, Al Whatba Wetland reserve and the Hydroponics farm.
Green Audit
The school is one of the lead schools conducting green audit under the sustainable schools’ programme – an initiative launched by the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency. The club members carry out land, air, energy, and waste and water audits for the school.
Training of Teachers
Teachers associated with the club regularly train the faculty of the school on ways of integrating sustainability in their curriculum. The club has also been mentoring other schools on various environmental activities.
Accolades –the club has been winning many prizes and awards in various inter school competitions at national and international level. Some of the most prominent ones are
- The sustainable school award in the lead school category initiated by the Abu Dhabi environment agency. The award has been won four times by the school
- Abu Dhabi Better Life Index Award
- Botanical Adventure Challenge Award
- The Tide Turners challenge
- Trust for Sustainable Living International Essay Award
- Roots & Shoots 30th Award
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