'Green school' inaugurated in Kedarnath region

Rudraprayag: Two years after the devastating flash flood tragedy in Uttarakhand, a first-ever 'Green school' has been inaugurated here at Chandrapuri.

Brightland International School, which was completely destroyed in the floods of 2013, has been rebuilt and the new, eco-friendly campus - which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Harish Rawat - is now ready to open its doors to students.

The rebuilding of the school was undertaken as part of the 'Project Hope' initiative of the Rishikesh-based Divine Shakti Foundation.

"Eleven other schools are being rebuilt in Rudraprayag and we will be working actively to ensure the same provision of sanitation, green projects, and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) programmes," Chidanand Saraswati, President of Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh), Founder of Divine Shakti Foundation and Ganga Action Parivar and Co-Founder/Chairman of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, told PTI.

"Students and the faculty will also be trained in disaster prevention and response," he added. Among the unique features of the school are eco-friendly bio-toilets and WHO-approved bio-sand filters for clean water.

"We have also focused on solid waste management, consciousness of our carbon footprint and active engagement as regards proper disposal and utilisation of trash by segregation and recycling," added Bhagwati Saraswati, president of Divine Shakti Foundation.

She said that the school building will be used after class hours for holding livelihood skills training for women and members from the surrounding communities.

As for the students, apart from the curriculum, they will also be trained in Yoga and holistic well-being.