Solan’s schools perform best on environmental parametres set by CSE’s Green Schools Programme

District bags Chief Minister’s GSP Rolling Trophy 2021-22. Schools from Sirmaur and Dugha also awarded 

Trophy given every year by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) to the “greenest” schools in the state  

Shimla/New Delhi, June 5, 2022: On World Environment Day, three schools from Himachal Pradesh won laurels for their “green” efforts. Centre for Science and Environment’s (CSE) Green Schools Programme (GSP) gave away the 2021-22 Chief Minister’s Rolling Trophies here today to the Shivalik Valley Public School, Solan; Government Senior Secondary School, Nainidhar (Sirmaur); and Government High School, Dugha. 

With schools in Solan consistently practising environment-friendly measures over the last three years, the district was adjudged the best in the state. 

The awards are given every year by CSE in association with Himachal Pradesh Council for Science Technology and Environment (HIMCOSTE) – the two have been working together for almost a decade for furthering environment education in the state. 

CSE’s Green Schools Programme is an innovative initiative that encourages schools and their students and teachers to audit the environmental practices within their campuses, and strive to improve on them. 

Himachal Pradesh’s participation in the Programme since 2012 has increased significantly: from 44 schools in 2012 to 699 today. In 2019-20, Himachal Pradesh witnessed an impressive jump in the GSP audit performance. In terms of registrations, 557 schools registered for the GSP Audit 2019 -- a 65 per cent increase when compared to 2018 (367 schools). Of the total 557 registrations, 156 schools completed and submitted the Audit in 2019. Of these, 15 schools were rated ‘green’ in the Audit, up from four in 2018. 

Like every year, this year also GSP workshops were organised and 110 teachers participated in it. 

The GSP-CM’s Rolling Trophy was instituted in 2017 to recognise schools who participated in the GSP Audit, with the aim of encouraging students to become environmental managers and instil values and conscience towards bettering the environment.  Since then, 14 schools and two districts (Solan claimed the Trophy for two consecutive years) have been recipients of the GSP-HP Chief Minister’s Trophy. 

In 2018-19, the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur himself gave the Awards to deserving schools at a ceremony in Mandi. In 2019-20, four schools were given certificates and the best district was given to Solan, once again. For the year 2021-22, three schools and one district has been shortlisted for the rolling trophy award.

What it means to be a Green School?

A green school may include, but is not limited, to the following: 

• A window to floor ratio (WFR) of more than 15 per cent.
• Majority of the population using sustainable and non-polluting modes of transport (public transport, e-rickshaws, cycling, walking, etc).
• Maximum use of energy-efficient lighting to conserve energy and use of alternative sources of energy – the GSP Audit encourages schools to minimise the use of conventional lights without compromising over sufficient lighting for students.
• Maintain a high green cover inside and around the school campus along with greater biodiversity by planting native species of plants. 
• Serve only cooked meals (avoid packaged foods) to ensure healthy food consumption.
• Harvest rainwater and treat wastewater.
• Segregate waste at source efficiently and dispose of responsibly -- recycling of at least 90 per cent of the waste is recommended
• Wet waste composted; waste should not be burned. 

For more on the event and the programme, please contact Neeraj Kumar from CSE’s environment education team: 9716281849