29 Mar : On a special invitation from President’s Secretariat Rashtrapati Bhavan New Delhi, a group of 43 Environment activists led by Mr. N K Jhingan participated in the Nature camp at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi on Saturday. These include 35 students and teachers from 21 schools in Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula and Fatehgarh Sahib,4 college students and 3 volunteers.
The special invitation was given to the Environment Society of India, Chandigarh (ESI) as this society created Nature Observatory,M.C.C. Nursery sector 26 and Nature Discovery, Commonwealth Youth Programme, Asia center sector 12, Chandigarh and started holding Nature Camps in the year 2000-2001 and till now has organized 350 Nature camps for the students and teachers of this region.
The Participants visited with great interest the project "Roshini” which aims to become a model for developing Eco friendly townships. An initiative “Roshini” makes the President’s Estate a Green and Energy efficient and zero waste model townships, showcasing its rich bio-heritage. Roshini has four major components –waste management, water management, energy conservation and eco-management.
All electricity based water heaters are being changed to solar heaters. This project was launched in December last year. 1.75 Km. nature trail designed on the directions of Mrs.Pratibha Devisingh Patil President of India. The trail includes stops at the pond ecosystem, the butterfly corner, and the peacock point.
It also includes walks around the groves of berries, mangoes,jackfruits, oranges, orchards of guavas, pomegranates, and other temperate fruits. Resting places have been provided while one goes through the pathways. Instead of artificial chairs and benches, logs of wood have been used as seats where one can sit, listen as well as explore Nature. At the end of Nature Trail a musical fountain which plays to the tunes of patriotic songs, has been made from where the visitors could leave The trail exposes the students and teachers to greens that they may have not really seen before.
Right in the heart of Delhi there are fruit bats, birds,reptiles and small mammals. It is the best place for children to understand the concept which, they learn in textbooks as they are played out in real life.