Responses

Prakriti : Environment Education Bus, a project jointly organised by the British Gas (BG) India, Gujarat Gas Company Limited (GGCL) and Centre for Environment Education (CEE), during its pilot phase, was visited by over 35,000 visitors including school-children, youth and the general community in both urban and rural areas of two districts - Surat and Bharuch.

General Response

®One of the key aspects of any project was conducted in detail by the volunteers conducting the resource centre activities. Formal and informal feedback taken at each place from the students, teachers and the community suggests that Prakriti is found to be a useful and necessary resource by the students and teachers. It seems to have motivated the youth and the community to begin taking action on environmental conservation at their level.

Teacher's Response

®The teachers, other school staff and school management stated the idea of the EE bus to be a very effective medium for schools and colleges, to help children evolve a healthy attitude towards environment and nature. Students, both from schools and colleges, during panel exhibition and discussions mentioned that this program has created a sense of ownership not only for themselves and their families but also for the society and thus would like to see the bus to reach all over the state. They were determined to initiate efforts in keeping their schools, houses and surroundings clean, saving energy and water and to encourage their friends towards this. They also demanded that people also should be provided more awareness about laws that help in protection of environment.

Student's Response

®A group of students presented their learning about themes such as rainwater harvesting, energy efficiency, solid waste management, and grey water management, particularly referring to the models included in Prakriti. In addition, the school management and the teachers showed interest to set up a similar resource centre at their respective schools. They have also requested the volunteers to assist them in developing it. Apart from requesting a revisit, they sought Environmental Education material including CDs, books, games performed there and documentary movies available with CEE.

General Community Response

®People from public places, particularly working people, mentioned that this bus has kindled their interest in environment, has made them more concerned about birds and animals and taught them simple ways to conserve energy and water. Also, they found the information on effects of air pollution on the body and the environment. Visitors from Old Civil Hospital, Surat mentioned that this programme has a capacity to generate a greater sense of involvement and responsibility towards conservation of environment. They also emphasized on coordinating this with their organizations so that all working people could play a responsible social role at their work place.

®In the villages, the EE bus was popular. Some of the old people mentioned that this mobile resource centre is a requisite at every place as it helps people understand the environmental issues, the importance of water and energy in human life and teaches ways to conserve these precious entities. They also appreciated the activities that were conducted with children especially the methodology and found it an interesting method of education through recreation.

®Most of the suggestions from villages and public places centered around providing more information about agriculture and solar energy models like solar cooker, solar water heater, improved "chulhas", etc., and the contacts from where such type of equipments could be hired/ purchased.

Personal Responses