With Eco Clubs made compulsory under NEP, schools embrace creative fixes as space shortages stall the plantation target; In June 2025, schools were also instructed to run a tree plantation campaign titled “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, under which each school was asked to plant 70 trees in honour of mothers
Students at St Xavier’s School, Powai, plant saplings on school grounds. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
With environmentalism at the forefront of the National Education Policy (NEP), the Maharashtra Council of Primary Education has encouraged schools to establish ‘eco clubs’ to promote student-led environmental initiatives. In June 2025, schools were also instructed to run a tree plantation campaign titled “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, under which each school was asked to plant 70 trees in honour of mothers.
However, while schools in and around Mumbai are ready with saplings, many are facing a space crunch. “We are ready with 70 saplings, but there’s a space constraint on our premises, which is the case for many Mumbai schools. Our school shares its boundary with LBS Marg, so we can’t plant too close to the boundary either,” a school representative said.
After speaking with the gardener, the students planted several trees on campus and took the rest of the saplings home. “This activity doesn’t take away from the message. The students are involved at every step, working with their bare hands and connecting with the soil. This hands-on participation only deepens their commitment to the mission,” said Suchitra Powar, Vice-Principal of St Xavier’s school, Powai.
St Pius students engage in tree plantation slogan writing and poster making. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
At St Pius School, Mulund, a few plants were placed around the corners of the school premises, while the rest were distributed to students who planted them in their residential areas. “As part of the Eco Club, we also had students earn the Cambridge Climate Quest certificate, while teaching them compost making and observing ‘No Plastic Days’,” said a teacher from the school. Some schools that have been part of the initiative for a while have integrated sapling plantation into celebrations.
“Every child brings a sapling, small or big, in a container or flower pot, whatever suits them, on their birthday. The child, along with classmates, the class teacher, and a horticulturist, participates in a small ceremony to plant it in the school. During the planting, the children sing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song and clap. Photos of each celebration are taken annually. We now have over 5000 such saplings, many of which are shared with the neighbourhood,” said Revathi Srinivasan, principal of Smt Sulochanadevi Singhania School.
Last week, the Maharashtra Council of Primary Education issued a circular noting that very few schools under its jurisdiction had planted trees or uploaded their progress on the online portal. Schools have been urged to begin Eco Club activities by July 30, 2025.
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