An education for sustainable development requires students to be involved in projects that help the community and the environment around them. The students of Daria in Chandigarh did just that when they chanted slogans and marched down the roads of their village asking members of the community to work for a cleaner and greener tomorrow.

Daria village is located in the South-East of Chandigarh and used to be surrounded by trees and green fields. Rapid urbanization, big roads, malls and construction of multistoried buildings led to rampant and willful cutting of trees. This completely changed Daria. There were fewer trees, less green fields, narrow lanes and too many buildings; the village now faces the problem of pollution, rise in allergy cases in children due to dust, overflowing drains during monsoons, and depleting ground water levels as just some of its major issues.

Reshma, Amardeep, Chanderkant and Chandan, students of Daria Government School, Chandigarh, were also student learners of Intel® Learn Program in their school. They were very happy to have learnt invaluable 21st century skills like digital literacy, collaboration and communication through their project on ‘Save the trees and Save the environment in Daria’ and were keen on making a meaningful impact among the community. They realized that just doing the project was not enough. Enthusiastic and keen to make a change, they decided to mobilize all the children of their school for a foot march through Daria for saving the trees and the environment.

They wanted to showcase their project in front of their community. With the support of their Principal Mrs. Purnima Vats and teachers they were able to organize all the learners of Daria School to participate in the march. The foot soldiers wanted to spread awareness among the people of Daria and to awaken a responsibility towards the environment.

The learners planted a tree in their school campus to commemorate the day and also pledged to take turns in nurturing the sapling until it grew into a big tree as an example for all other children to emulate.

During the march, they interacted with people of the village explaining to them the importance of trees, how to nurture them and why we need to plant more trees to help clean the environment. Young children earnestly presented their views in front of the community, requesting them to think about the environment. This initiative had a very positive impact on the community members. They were very appreciative of the social consciousness of the learners and their contribution to community development.

The students had also invited the sarpanch (head of local self governance body at village level) of the village and other Panchayat members of the community, parents, adults and children to come together and take an oath to protect the environment. It was a proud moment when all the members of the community in unison pledged to save the environment and work towards a ‘ greener and cleaner future .’

The Sarpanch was very proud of the children and was confident that the march would have a ‘long lasting impact on the community as the children had kindled the spirit of selflessly contributing towards community development’ . He also assured the community that some of the Panchayat’s welfare funds would be allocated for the re-forestation, water-harvesting and for the cleanliness of the garbage affected areas of Daria village community.

All this was a big win for the foot soldiers of Daria.