Engaging Youth with Mother Nature For a Better Tomorrow
TerraGreen|January 2022
In this article, Sumanta Kar tells us about environmentally-significant initiatives —zero budget natural farming and the nutrition garden programme, both aimed at enhancing well-being and self-reliance.
Sumanta Kar
Engaging Youth with Mother Nature For a Better Tomorrow
The Earth is the only home we have. A simple yet poignant statement that resonates with the impact that environmental degradation has had over decades on the planet and its inhabitants. Important is the realization that the sooner something is done to deaccelerate irreparable damage to the environment and the Earth, the better the future of our posterity will be. “Catch them young!” signifies the importance of the involvement of our children and youth in becoming Ambassadors of Change—a change we all wish to see.

In line with the above, an interesting initiative undertaken by the Boys Club at SOS Children’s Village Bangalore is Zero Budget Natural Farming. On a piece of land, children of the Village grow their own food—herbs, vegetables, and fruits, giving a chance to not only produce fresher and healthier food for ready consumption but also in the process unwind and learn.

At the beginning, it was a bit tough to explain that farming is, actually, a science and needs not only effort but also knowledge about what can be sown and grown, when, where, and how. For these young boys residing in the Village, leisure time is well spent between sports and farming. Before starting, children did their bit of research, which was supported by awareness sessions on different types of crops, the soil, nutrients and care needed, and other associated nuances. This helps them not only in connecting with nature but is also apt for the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of the child.

This story is from the January 2022 edition of TerraGreen.

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This story is from the January 2022 edition of TerraGreen.

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