Youth surveys, air pollution-themed street plays: Delhi schools directed to engage youth in clean air programme awareness

Indian Express

2 days ago

Students above the age of 15, studying in Delhi's schools, should be made aware of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) through the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) platform, the Directorate of Education (DoE) asked all Deputy Directors of Education (DDEs) on Wednesday as part of a youth empowerment initiative.
In an office memorandum on May 22, the Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change detailed the awareness programme and an outreach initiative by NCAP cities.
'Hon'ble Prime Minister launched 'Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)' platform to empower the youth (age group 15-29 years) in realising their aspirations and contributing to the creation of a 'Viksit Bharat',' it read.
As part of this, year-long awareness programmes have been earmarked with themed campaigns two days in a month as per the scheduling by the urban local bodies. This is to be done through the engagement of youth, schools, colleges and eco-clubs for micro-events, according to the directive. Mega events are also to be organised on special events such as World Environment Day, Air Pollution Awareness Week, Swachh Vayu Diwas, among others.
Experiential Learning Programmes (ELP) for at least 120 hours, involving activities related to the NCAP, are also compulsory. On the financial aspect, it stated, 'The…activities…shall be made part of city action plan, and funds provided to cities under NCAP…may be utilised for taking up these activities.'
In addition to this, regional directorates of the Central Pollution Control Board, state pollution control boards, and ULBs have been asked to facilitate the maximum registration of youth on the MY Bharat portal, as well as maximise event participation under the NCAP.
According to the Centre's annual calendar, the micro events this month include tree plantation drives 'Ek Ped Maa ke Naam 2.0' on roadsides or parks. Apart from this, a student-driven plantation campaign has also been scheduled. For the rest of the months, industry visits, special drives for promotion of cleaner fuels, air pollution-themed street plays, and painting and write-ups on park walls, public places themed on improving air quality, melas with recycled waste products, road cleaning, among others have been planned.
Mega events should include workshops, talks by air quality management experts at the school or college level, an air quality improvement hackathon, a documentary screening, and puppet shows. It has also been suggested to confer awards to safai mitras on Swachh Vayu Diwas on September 7.
Similarly, a cycling or marathon event may be scheduled on Zero Emission Day on September 21. Surveys are also to be undertaken among the youth for Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan, as per the Centre's directions.