Gram Vikas High School in Kankia, Ganjam district, has been awarded the prestigious ‘Prakruti Mitra’ (Friend of Nature) award by the Odisha government. The award, presented on October 7, 2024, at the Berhampur Forest Division office, recognises the school’s outstanding commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable resource use.

Principal Shri Debendranath Dash received the award, which includes a cash prize of ₹20,000 and a certificate, from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. Senior officials from the District Forest Division and Horticulture Department were also present at the ceremony.

“This award belongs to all the students and teachers, past and present, who have played a key role in preserving the school’s green cover and promoting sustainable practices,” said Shri Dash. “We have always tried to build up an environmentally aware, active, and skilled community of teachers and students.”

A Legacy of Green Initiatives

Since its inception in 1982, Gram Vikas Residential School has made environmental stewardship a core part of its mission. The school grounds are a sanctuary for a diverse range of medicinal and fruit-bearing trees, including Amla, Neem, Baheda, Karanja (Indian Beech), Wood apple, Ashoka, Bay leaf, Cinnamon, Pomegranate, Mango, and Jamun.

In 2020, the school established a thriving guava orchard with over 30 trees. “During COVID-19, we received guava seeds from Pune,” explained science teacher Ms. Gitanjali Pradhan. “Teachers planted the seeds across three acres of land within the school premises. Once the school reopened, students of Class 6 and 8 took on the responsibility of caring for the orchard. Today, the entire school enjoys the fruits of their labour.”

Students also actively maintain a half-acre kitchen garden, growing seasonal vegetables like brinjal, beans, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and papaya using organic manure sourced from nearby villages.

“A school kitchen garden is a valuable tool for teaching students about nutrition and healthy eating habits,” said Ms. Sujata Bisoyi, who teaches primary classes. “Nurturing a garden provides students with a hands-on learning experience, where they observe plant life and learn about ecosystems. In our school, different classes take turns to look after the sprawling garden. The students weed, dig, water, add manure, and pluck the vegetables. The plucked vegetables are then weighed separately, and students note down the quantity of each harvested vegetable in a register, after which the vegetables are handed to the Mess Manager in the school.”

Waste Management and Community Impact

The school’s commitment to sustainability extends to waste management, with students leading efforts to segregate and dispose of waste responsibly. They even repurposed a broken smokeless stove into an incinerator for safe and sanitary disposal.

“The Prakruti Mitra Award makes us feel extremely proud,” said Prameya Mallik, a Class 9 student. “But the award is also dedicated to our seniors who worked hard to keep our school green. We will continue to look after the kitchen garden and the trees on the school premises. Back in our homes, we encourage our families to celebrate birthdays by planting trees.”

Lipismita Roita, a Class 8 student, added, “Students and teachers work together to care for the plants and trees. After all, the fruits and vegetables are meant for everyone in the school.”

For years, Gram Vikas Residential School has been more than just a place of learning. It has been a catalyst for change in the local communities. The school has provided education and opportunity to 1,422 first-generation learners, including 595 girls, from 173 Adivasi communities across Odisha. The Prakruti Mitra Award is a testament to the school’s ongoing effort to build an environmentally conscious and proactive community.

Report and photo shared Debendranath Dash.