Innovative campaign to raise awareness about environment and forests
The Department of Forests and Climate Change has launched a campaign called ‘Catch Them Early’ to raise awareness about forests and the environment among school children. This initiative was introduced in 2022 to educate young students from classes VI to X about forests, wildlife, and forest functioning mechanisms. So far, this campaign has benefited 3500 children from 30 schools.
Every week, forest employees provide one hour of training to school children in the Durg Forest Division. They offer broad information about forests, wildlife, and the environment, among other things. In addition, new activities have been implemented, including painting, essays, theater, quizzes, and debate competitions, to raise awareness among children about the forest and environment.
As part of the campaign, documentary films related to animals are also screened for youngsters to spark their interest in the subject. Following the programme, the children who secure first, second, and third place in the competition are awarded prizes and certificates. The top three winners are also given the opportunity to visit a forest area or nursery on any one day each month within the forest division’s boundaries.
