On 10th March 2025, the vibrant community of Indira Nagar in Cotton Green, Mumbai, became the backdrop for a heartwarming event dedicated to raising environmental awareness among children. In anticipation of World Forestry Day, YUVA India, in collaboration with Jeevan Dhara, organised an interactive session to educate young minds about the significance of forests and their vital role in sustaining life.

The session was conducted by Ms Vanita Salunke from YUVA India, with valuable support from Mr Ritesh Sharma, a dedicated teacher from Jeevan Dhara. Their combined efforts made the event both informative and engaging for the children.

Creating an Engaging Learning Space

The community hall was transformed into a vibrant learning space adorned with colourful posters depicting diverse forest ecosystems, tree species, and the numerous benefits of forests. The enthusiastic gathering of children reflected curiosity and excitement, setting the stage for an insightful discussion on environmental conservation.

Encouraging Thoughtful Discussions

Ms Salunke began the session with an engaging question: “Why are forests important to us, and what do they provide?” The children eagerly participated, their hands shooting up with enthusiasm to share their thoughts.

Their responses were thoughtful and demonstrated their awareness of the environment:

• “Forests give us oxygen to breathe.”
• “We get fruits and medicines from trees.”
• “Wood from forests is used for furniture and houses.”
• “Forests are home to animals and birds.”

Building upon their responses, Ms Salunke explained the crucial roles forests play in sustaining life, such as absorbing carbon dioxide, supporting biodiversity, maintaining the water cycle, and preventing soil erosion.

Interactive Activities for Deeper Engagement

To make learning fun and interactive, the session incorporated several activities:

1. Leaf Identification Game: Children were given various leaves and asked to match them to their corresponding tree species, enhancing their understanding of plant diversity.
2. Animal Habitat Puzzle: A game where children connected animals to their natural forest habitats, reinforcing the importance of preserving wildlife.
3. Storytelling Session: Mr Sharma captivated the children with a story highlighting the deep connection between humans and forests.

Addressing Environmental Concerns

The session also shed light on some pressing environmental issues affecting forests globally:

• Deforestation: The rapid destruction of forests and its impact on ecosystems.
• Climate Change: How deforestation accelerates global warming and disrupts weather patterns.
• Loss of Biodiversity: The extinction of species due to habitat destruction.

Ms Salunke encouraged the children to reflect on how human activities affect nature and what steps can be taken to conserve forests.

Inspiring Global Conservation Efforts

To provide a broader perspective, the children were introduced to global reforestation initiatives and community-led conservation projects that are making a significant impact worldwide. Stories of indigenous communities restoring native forests and government-led afforestation programmes inspired the children to think about their own role in protecting nature.

Visual Learning: An Educational Video

A screening of the video “Trees – God of the Environment – Save Trees” provided a visual reinforcement of the day’s lessons. The video emphasised the essential role trees play in maintaining ecological balance and inspired the children to adopt a more environmentally conscious mindset.

A Hands-On Approach: Planting the Future

The most exciting part of the session was the tree planting activity, where each child received a sapling to plant in the community garden. They were taught how to care for their saplings and encouraged to nurture them as a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Additionally, the children took personal pledges to protect trees, reduce waste, and spread awareness within their communities.

Reflections and Takeaways

The session concluded with children sharing their learnings and personal commitments:

• “I will plant more trees and take care of them.”
• “I learnt how important trees are for clean air and water.”
• “I will tell my friends and family to stop cutting trees.”

Their responses reflected the deep impact the session had on their understanding of the environment and their enthusiasm for making a positive difference.

Fostering a Greener Future

Events like these play a crucial role in nurturing environmentally conscious future generations. By engaging young minds in meaningful discussions and activities, we cultivate a sense of responsibility and empowerment in protecting our planet.

The collaboration between YUVA India and Jeevan Dhara demonstrated the power of collective efforts in environmental education. As we continue to celebrate World Forestry Day, let us all take small but significant steps towards preserving our forests and ensuring a greener future for generations to come.