CSE picks two schools in Kerala for green award

Thiruvananthapuram: The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), has selected two schools — Kendriya Vidyalaya, Army Cantonment, Pangode and Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ottapalam — from the state for their change maker awards at the Green Schools Programme. 

As many as 13 schools out of the 34 shortlisted were presented the awards in various categories.

Ms Sunita Narain, director general, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), announced the awards at the Annual Green Schools Prog-ramme (GSP) award ceremony on Wednesday.

The schools were selected for the award based on various criteria:

Kendriya Vidyalaya, Army Cantonment, Pangode:

Green cover: More than 50 per cent of the school area is under green cover.

Air: 71 per cent of the school population uses sustainable modes of transport; 8 per cent uses non-polluting modes such as walking and cycling.

Waste:  Waste from the school is used as fuel for its biogas plant, which ensures regular supply of gas; the school has completely banned plastic within its premises.

Water: Rainwater is channelised from various trenches to recharge the school’s groundwater; some of it is allowed to flow down to the adjoining forest and join the river Karamana.

Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ottapalam:

Energy: The school has recorded savings in electricity bills over a period of one year. Solar energy powers the administrative block of the school. A biogas plant, with waste storage capacity of 50 kg, produces around 10 kg of gas.

Air: Only one per cent of the school’s population relies on private vehicles.

Waste: The school practices the principle of ‘reduce your trash’. Primary classes have a two-bin system. The last period of the day has a five-minute slot dedicated to waste collection.

Water: An old rainwater harvesting structure has been renovated. Water from the shed is directed to an underground rainwater storage tank. 

The stored water is used in the school’s toilets, and for mopping and gardening.