In a significant step towards integrating environmental stewardship with school education, Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, inaugurated a microforest comprising a Fruit Orchard and Pollinator Park at PM SHRI Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, on 14 December 2025. Developed under Special Campaign 5.0, the initiative reflects the Ministry’s commitment to sustainable practices, experiential learning, and the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Transforming Barren Land into an Ecological Learning Space
The microforest initiative has successfully transformed over 3,200 square metres of barren land into a vibrant ecological and experiential learning space under the aegis of Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE. Designed as a living classroom, the project enables students to engage directly with nature while learning about biodiversity, sustainability and climate action.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Shri Rajesh Lakhani, Commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS); Dr. Amarpreet Duggal, Joint Secretary, DoSEL; Shri Gyanendra Kumar, Joint Commissioner, NVS; Smt. Vandana Tummalapalli, Head of Government and Public Land Acquisition, Say Trees; Ms Moneetha, Knowledge Head, Say Trees; senior officials of the Ministry of Education, along with students, teachers and staff members of the Vidyalaya.
Education Beyond Textbooks: NEP 2020 in Action
Addressing the gathering, Shri Sanjay Kumar emphasised that the true purpose of education lies in nurturing happy, mentally sound and well-rounded individuals by extending learning beyond textbooks to real-world experiences. He noted that joyful, inclusive and nature-connected learning environments, as envisioned under NEP 2020, play a critical role in fostering human values, meaningful relationships and independent thinking among students.
Highlighting the importance of environmental sensitisation, he stated that Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE, now operational in over 9.23 lakh schools across the country, are promoting hands-on learning through activities aligned with the seven themes of Mission LiFE. He urged educators to integrate nature-based learning into daily pedagogy to cultivate environmental consciousness among young learners.
Call for Green and Sustainable School Campuses
Shri Sanjay Kumar further called upon the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti to develop clean, green and well-maintained campuses nationwide where Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE can flourish. Such campuses, he noted, not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also enhance student well-being and foster responsible citizenship.
Echoing these sentiments, Shri Rajesh Lakhani, Commissioner, NVS, urged students to take collective responsibility for caring for trees and green spaces. He highlighted that nurturing fruit-bearing trees on school campuses promotes sustainable living, healthy habits and ecological balance, while instilling a strong sense of stewardship and ownership among students.
Special Campaign 5.0: Focus on Swachhata and Sustainability
As part of Special Campaign 5.0, the Department of School Education & Literacy placed strong emphasis on Swachhata efficiency and environmental stewardship. During the campaign, over 6.16 lakh Swachhata drives were conducted across schools and offices nationwide.
A national webinar on E-waste Awareness and Management held on 9 October 2025, followed by a nationwide E-waste Collection Drive, witnessed participation from over one lakh students, resulting in the collection of more than 4,000 kg of e-waste. Notably, around 100 kg of collected e-waste was creatively repurposed into an awareness mural installed at Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi.
Enhancing Biodiversity and Campus Microclimate
The newly inaugurated microforest at NVS Gautam Buddh Nagar includes a Fruit Orchard with over 500 fruit-bearing trees and a Pollinator Park comprising more than 350 pollinator-friendly plants. These green spaces provide vital habitat support for bees, butterflies and other pollinators, enhance campus biodiversity and contribute to improving the local microclimate.
Implemented with the support of Say Trees, a non-profit organisation that has planted over five million trees and restored more than 50 lakes across India, the initiative will continue to evolve as an integral part of the school campus. It aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 – Quality Education and SDG 13 – Climate Action, reinforcing the link between education and sustainability.
Conclusion
The inauguration of the microforest at PM SHRI Navodaya Vidyalaya, Gautam Buddh Nagar, marks a meaningful convergence of education, environmental responsibility and community participation. Reaffirming its commitment to promoting environment-friendly behaviour, Swachhata and sustainable practices, the Department of School Education & Literacy aims to scale up similar initiatives across Navodaya Vidyalayas, Kendriya Vidyalayas and schools nationwide, creating greener, healthier and more engaging learning environments for future generations.
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Source: PIB
