Schools from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have been recognized for their commitment to sustainability at the prestigious Wipro Earthian Awards 2024. The North Guwahati Girls High School from Assam and Global Valley School, Roing from Arunachal Pradesh were among the winners at the 14th edition of the awards, held at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, on February 22. The Wipro Earthian Awards is an annual initiative by Wipro Limited that encourages sustainability education and honors schools and colleges actively engaged in environmental conservation. This year’s edition saw over 1,500 project submissions, with 23 winners and 43 shortlisted entries selected by an independent jury. North Guwahati Girls High School, Assam: The school’s project focused on biodiversity and waste management. The students studied the impact of urbanization on biodiversity and highlighted how unchecked infrastructure growth could threaten the region’s natural balance. Additionally, they initiated a paper recycling project to address waste disposal awareness and promote eco-friendly habits in their community.
Global Valley School, Roing, Arunachal Pradesh: The team explored solid waste management challenges in their valley, analyzing how increased commercial activities have introduced non-biodegradable waste that local ecosystems cannot absorb. Their study also emphasized the lack of recycling industries, leading to harmful practices like waste burning and its environmental consequences. The awards were presented by Anurag Behar, CEO of the Azim Premji Foundation, and Narayan P.S., Global Head of Sustainability and Social Initiatives, Wipro Limited. Speaking on the occasion, Narayan P.S. remarked, “The Wipro Earthian program continues to inspire young minds to understand humanity’s deep connection with nature. These projects reflect the resilience and optimism of students in addressing sustainability challenges.”Since its inception in 2011, the Wipro Earthian initiative has engaged over 50,000 schools, 4,000 colleges, 2,00,000 students, and 40,000 teachers, making it one of India’s largest sustainability education programs. With active participation from schools across the country, the program fosters action-based learning, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to tackle environmental issues.
The recognition of these two Northeast schools highlights the growing awareness of sustainability and environmental conservation in the region. Their innovative projects not only bring local challenges to the forefront but also serve as an inspiration for future initiatives aimed at protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable waste management.
