Gurgaon: Saanvi Sehgal is nine years old running with his father last month when the tree trunk is embedded on the concrete sidewalk in his neighborhood on DLF 1 catches his eyes.
A little he knows then that’s the question, “Why do we die weakly by not leaving the area for them to breathe?” Will soon peak into community encouragement by a group of adult adult schools to preserve greenery in Delhi-NCR.
During that walk, Saanvi learned from his father about the orders of the Delhi High Court which called for community participation and school assistance in protecting trees.
Within a few days, Saanvi, a 4th grade student at Pathways School, cooperated with some of his colleagues to form the ‘Watch and Ward’ army.
This group has 20 other boys.
Children have geographical images of the fields of concern, collect data and include input from the Welfare Association of the local population (RWAS) and are ready to make a presentation to the corporation of Gurgaon City (MCG).
They have areas covering like DLF 1-5, road golf courses and sectors 29.
In December, children will meet to discuss their action plans but the third wave of pandemics has shifted their meetings online.
They rely on WhatsApp, zoom and padlets, which they use to upload and verify data and track progress.
“Our teacher has helped make us comfortable with digital tools.
So, we talk about whatsapp groups, hold zoom tightly and collect data on padlets.
If anyone has input or suggestions, we combine it too,” said Fateh Jahan Singh Dhaliwal (12 ), a school student of Shri Ram.
Children recently submitted a presentation on the concrete problem in the capital in the capital of the Commissioner of Municipal Corporation (SDMC), looking for corrective steps immediately.
Now, they want to do the same in Gurgaon.
“It’s not just a Delhi problem.
I see so many trees in my city with concrete around them, which is why they rot and die.
We need trees because air pollution is a big problem.
My teacher is motivated and helps me understand the subject.
They also show To me how to compile data, “Saanvi said, adding that he took inspiration from Swedish Environmental Activist Greta Thunberg.” Saanvi is a child who wants to know and motivated.
When I told him what happened to trees with concrete around them and the court said School children can make a difference, he becomes excited and wants to fight for this purpose, “his father said Suhail Sehagal, a lawyer.
(12) A VASANT Valley School student and members ‘watch and the environment’, said, “We put all the data on the public link.
We will meet with the MCG Commissioner and ask him to launch a push against the laying of concrete around the tree.” Some other children , who learn with code, plans to launch the application that is a concern.
This application, said students, can be handled by the community and used by civil bodies to take fast action.
“Some of us already know the basics of coding, and we know some people who can help in developing applications,” said Aryan Mago (12), a school student Shri Ram.
Parents have made all this possible.
“As a parent, we can only answer their questions and believe in them.
The rest depends on their efforts and their education at school.
What we can do now is to help them arrange meetings and document their findings and suggestions,” said Kapil Mago, ” Arya’s father.
Parents also help children identify several fields of concern, but say that most work afterwards are carried out by children.
“These children are encouraged and have developed the eyes for places where the trees have concrete around them.
We also help by identifying spots where the problem is, “Shivangini Chaudhary, Mrs.
Danya.