7,324 schools race for green tag

BANGALORE: Going green is the mantra for 7,324 schools (government and private) in the state. And what will they gain? The tag of ' Parisara Mitra Shaale' ( environment-friendly school). The initiative by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board ( KSPCB) and the state education department was launched in schools across 26 districts in academic year 2012-13.

"Schools are encouraged to take up environmental and hygiene activities in their institutions and try and improve their surroundings. The aim is to make them aware and conscious about ecology conservation from their days in school itself," said Vaman Acharya, KSPCB chairman.

SELF EVALUATION

Each school has been given a booklet with guidelines along with a self-evaluation questionnaire. Based on the activities they carry out, schools will assess themselves at the end of the year and submit the same to the Board.

The information submitted will then be collated, 30 schools shortlisted and an expert team will visit each institution to select the top 21 in each district. Of them, the most environment-friendly will earn the tag of district-level Parisara Mitra Shaale for 2012-13. Of the remaining, 10 will be categorized as 'green schools' and another 10 as 'yellow'.

After the district-wise exercise, KSPCB will select the top seven Parisara Mitra schools and give away the state-level award on Environment Day (June 5).