MARIA'S PUBLIC SCHOOL

Maria’s Public School, Guwahati (MPS), Assam, India initiated the celebration of World Environment Day 2025 with an Environmental Awareness & Conservation Education Programme, aboard the M.V. Kohuwa Bon Cruise, on June 01, 2025. Organised in collaboration with Sofia Navigation & Cruises Pvt. Ltd., the programme was supported by the mandates of the MPS Yuva Tourism & Media Club and was inspired by the learning guidelines of IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Global Mission – #NatureForAll.

The day-long programme started with the handing over of the official banner to Mrs Nellie Ahmed, Founder and Managing Trustee, MPS, by Omyeesha Bora, Head Girl, Junior Section and Advik Chakraborty, Head Boy, Junior Section. The students, led by Aaradhya Sarma, Class 6 organised sessions like – Climate Brainstorming and Group Discussion to identify the major local and global environmental problems, keeping in mind, this year’s theme of World Environment Day, ‘Ending Global Plastic Pollution’.

The students actively engaged themselves in activities related to conservation education pedagogies and sustainability, which were introduced to them by Dr. Biswajit De, the Creative Director & Teacher of Design, MPS, via interactive films and animated presentations, which took them on a virtual tour of Antarctica, the Mid-Way Island and the school’s own backyard that nurtures a plethora of flora and fauna. As a follow-up, the student participants designed mind-maps and action plans to take the conservation initiatives from one-day celebration of the globally important days, to long term impact-based action plans.

Modules like Art for Conservation were planned and executed by Sarwar Hannan, Art Teacher, Junior and Secondary Sections. The interactive charts, designed by the students have sparked many new ideas. The participants also explored basics of photography and bio-diversity survey, using high-end optical and electronic equipment, cameras and binoculars, used for actual scientific studies and documentation.

As the saying goes, ‘The Universe will arrange itself to give you everything that you aspire and desire, only if you have the strong will to be a go-getter,’ the weather seemed to cradle and nurture the day’s programme, as the students immersed themselves in the strong learning outcomes, which we are sure, would go a long way in generating compassion for nature in their minds. Special thanks to the Organising Team of Sofia Navigation & Cruises Pvt. Ltd. and the crew of M.V. Kohuwa Bon, for their coordination and support.