ECO-ALERT FOR OUR CHILDREN

A PIONEERING school group is hoping to unite the kingdom's young people to work together to improve the environment and show that Bahrain truly cares about the planet.

As schools settle into the new academic year, one of the oldest expatriate establishments has been busy putting the finishing touches to an environmental programme that begins with an Eco Summit this month.

The students and faculty of the Indian School in Isa Town, along with specialists, will be getting together for two days to discuss and debate issues concerning the environment and put together ideas to make a difference.

The Eco Summit, set to be held on September 24 and 25, is the brainchild of the executive committee and senior faculty of the school.

Principal Dr A S Pillai said: "We want to create awareness among the youth about the urgent need to protect and preserve our environment. As a school we can introduce the subject early and create an impression among the 7,200 students."

The school has already garnered support from the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and has approached the United Nations Environment Programme officials in the kingdom.

Taking the concept of protecting environment further towards the objective of building a better world, UNIC director Mr Nejib Friji said: "We are going to link the initiative taken by the school to spread awareness of environment to peace and non-violence as promoted by Mahatma Gandhi."

Sarah Clarke from the American Association, who wrote about living in a plastic bag free environment for one week in GulfWeekly, will be conducting interactive workshops with the students.

GŽant Bahrain's marketing manager Safi Faruqui will be speaking about the supermarket's experience of attempting to introduce jute bags to replace plastic bags and Dr Babu Ramachandran of the American Mission Hospital, who leads the anti-smoking campaign in the kingdom, will introduce students to the effects of tobacco and pollution. Other activities planned include planting trees and looking after them.

Dr S Murgadass, a member of the school's executive committee and a specialist researching on fisheries and aquaculture, reveals why the pupils have its full support.

Teachers and parents are backing a Bahrain school's environmental initiative to win the support of the kingdom's young people.

They want pupils from across the island to unite and share their views and aspirations for a green future.

Dr S Murgadass, a member of the Indian School's executive committee and a specialist researching on fisheries and aquaculture, said: "Global warming is on the increase. There is water scarcity and water pollution everywhere. People do not understand the implications of plastic waste.

"We need to increase awareness among everyone, especially the young, who are tomorrow's generation. We will be inviting students to research and speak on specific topics."

In the throes of putting the programme together, senior teacher Anand Nair said: "We want to spread the message of conserving the environment and want to invite students from other schools to share their experiences.

"We want to start a poster campaign and are looking for sponsors. We hope to reach and invite experts working in the broad area of environment on the island and are also looking for documentaries and films that can be presented to different classes."

Through presentations, talks, documentaries, workshops and real life case studies, the school intends to further the environment-friendly activities that have been spearheaded by the school's Eco Club that was started on the students' initiative last year.

Through the club and its enthusiastic president Anoo Bhuyan, 17, students have been educating each other about keeping the school clean. They set up a paper recycling bin that was attractively painted by the enthusiasts who stayed back after school hours

Head girl and member of the club, Jonica Fernandes, 16, said: "Papers of every kind - newspapers, old note books, circulars, and receipts - all that has to be sent for recycling is put in this special bin. Class monitors and prefects encourage students to practise recycling."

Nooran Nabeel, 17, said: "I was highly impressed by Al Gore's film, An Inconvenient Truth. Many students who watched it with me were moved by the film."

Many of the Eco Club students discuss issues and give opinions on the online social networking website, facebook.

They also have an anti-smoking community on the net and try and practise their beliefs at home.

Femi Thomas, 16, said that she believes in banning plastic and encourages her family not to use plastic glasses and spoons.

Megha Haridas, 17, was able to convince her father to quit smoking.

The young environmentalists hope to make a difference by keeping their surrounding clean, planting more trees and discouraging the use of plastic as much as possible.

The school's canteen uses plastic only when absolutely essential.

Principal Dr A S Pillai said: "We have increased the number of garbage cans around the campus to spread awareness of a litter-free environment. In rotation, classes are engaged in cleaning the grounds.

"We hope to continuously involve students in various environment-related programmes and projects through the year."