Students of Uchapatti Panchayat Union Middle School with reused plastic materials on World Environment Day in Madurai on Thursday.
The district administration along with Dhan Foundation on Thursday distributed 5,000 saplings to the public and students to mark World Environment Day.
Collector M.S. Sangeetha also distributed cloth bags (manjappai) to the public.
In order to encourage usage of cloth bags and to reiterate the importance of achieving a plastic-free world, cloth bags were given as an alternative to polythene covers and plastic bags, the organisers said.
Further, the participants were encouraged to utilise the cloth bags while buying groceries at shops or food at eateries. “People should be aware of of proper disposal of plastic materials and e-waste generated in every household,” they added.
As usage of plastic and electronic products had become an indispensable need, the importance of healthy disposal practice should be learnt for safeguarding future generations.
Similarly, under the Climate Change Mission, a district-level workshop on climate was organised at Al-Ameen Higher Secondary School at K.Pudur. Activities such as planting trees and distribution of pamphlets and books, among others, were carried out as part of the workshop.
Uchapatti Panchayat Union Middle School, which has undertaken planting saplings as a mission of their school for many years, celebrated the day by writing, painting and sketching about the importance of protecting nature.
N. Shanthi, headmistress, said the mission to plant trees in the school was continuing for more than five years. While the school had won several awards for maintaining a green ecosystem, students on a daily basis were taught about the ill-effects of plastic usage and carry bags.
“Our school campus is free of plastic waste and e-waste, and we strive to better this by avoiding usage of plastic materials,” she added.
Reuse of plastics as a practical exercise was taught to students.
A School Education Department official said the schools in the district had been instructed to upload the activities conducted on World Environment Day from June 5 to June 12 on the eco club portal. The geotagged photos of the activities and green environment of the school should be uploaded on the portal for consideration for the green award.
Published – June 05, 2025 09:35 pm IST