The Karnataka Forest Department wants these kids to turn into responsible and ecologically aware adults.
Over the years, there have been many ways to motivate students appearing for their board exams. However, this is the first time that the Forest Department has come up with a unique idea to inspire tomorrow’s leaders.
According to the Bangalore Mirror, if the department has its way, students may get ten marks added to their Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB) total, for taking good care of plants.
The Department of Forest, Environment and Ecology, is about to submit a proposal on this to the Department of Primary and Secondary Education.
R Shankar, Minister, Forest, Ecology and Environment told the publication that the decision to encourage young minds to grow trees comes from the increasing level of pollution and the subsequently decreasing tree cover.
How will this scheme work?
The Department of Forest, Environment and Ecology will give ten saplings to each student of class 8, who will have to take care of these plants for two years until they appear for the class 10 board exams.
The saplings can be planted in school premises, at home or even on the roadside. Forest Department officials will evaluate the growth of these plants bi-annually, where each plant will carry one mark. Mango, guava, neem and jackfruit saplings are on the list, as they can be easily grown.
Subject to acceptance, the officials would like the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board to issue a certificate as well as a printed photograph of the plants to the students.
You may also like:- How Mumbai Kids Are Gearing up for Planting Trees in the City & Are Inspiring Adults Too
There have been many unique initiatives aimed at the student community. The authorities are going by the ‘Catch em young’ adage, and trying to inculcate environmental responsibility in them from an early age.
Read here, about five unique initiatives that have taken tree plantation to the next level.
(Edited by Shruti Singhal)
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