They have ensured that their school premises are filled with abundant trees, flowers, fruits and grass.[break]
The first Eco Club in Nepal was established in 1995 at the very Jagadamba School. Principal Dinesh Gautam says that Eco Club was started to teach students about the importance of plants, insects and wildlife.
Now there are more than 500 Eco Clubs in various schools all over Nepal.. Madela falls in the mid-area of Bardia National Park. The club’s office, situated in the school’s Jagadamba Jim Edwards Protection Information Centre, is where the students meet to talk and discuss about protecting the environment.
They frequently visit Madela and collect discarded plastics from which they make cushions and other handicrafts. These handicrafts are exhibited at the Centre and their collection of hand-slings is also displayed there.
In 1999, as a result of the Club’s contributions to environment conservation, the World Wildlife Fund granted the Club the Abraham Conservation Award. According to the Club Chairman, Ishwor Pokhrel, many esteemed personalities have visited to see the various activities of the Eco Club.
Actor Rajesh Hamal also visited the Club on this year’s World Environment Day. He listened to the students talk about the importance of environment conservation. A street play carrying the message that it’s not humane to kill animals was also performed.
“Listening to our messages, Rajesh Hamal was quite emotional,” says Club Chairman Pokhrel. “He said that he would only work in environment-friendly films.”
He spent an hour with the students. When they requested him to deliver one of his most famous dialogues, Hamal obliged with his famous “Sathiharuka lagi yo hath salam ho bhane dushmanharuko lagi yo hath falam ho.”
After a photo session with the popular actor, the students had many questions to ask him. But did not have enough time to answer all the queries.
“He had said he would reply through email,” recalls Pokhrel. “But he hasn’t replied yet. Maybe he has forgotten.”
When Leonardo Di Caprio, actor of the popular film Titanic, visited the Club in 2009, he planted a sapling. Celebrities from within the country and abroad often come to pay a visit.
Through the Club, students have developed a communal feeling. Their leadership abilities have increased. Purna Rijal, a class seven student, says, “I’ve become skilled at giving speeches and that’s why I speak with confidence.”
After participating in street plays, class 10 student Shiv Raj Magar is now counted amongst good actors. Guests who come to the school are mesmerized by his solo performances.
On saving the environment, Ishwor Pokhrel, Chairman of the Eco Club, says, “Through Eco Club, we talk of our love for nature and work for it. We discuss the importance of wildlife and plants, and advocate for their conservation. We also participate in plantation and cleaning. We stage street plays to spread awareness.”
Ambassador for the Conservation of Tigers
There are 26 Royal Bengal tigers in Bardia National Park. Class 12 student of Jagadamba Higher Secondary School Pradip Rijal got an opportunity to visit Russia in his position as Ambassador for the Conservation of Tigers. He was appointed to the said ambassadorship by the World Wildlife Fund.
A participant of the International Youth Tiger Summit in 2010, he now works as an Eco teacher in the school.
He also spreads the message of tiger conservation amongst the students and the villagers. He has been a member of Eco Club since he was in class 5. Now he is 20 years old.
The Tiger Summit is organized every 12 years.
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