Delhi kicks off student-led campaign for climate action and green education

In a significant push towards environmental awareness, the Delhi government on May 22 unveiled a large-scale eco-sensitization campaign aimed at reaching two lakh students across the capital.

The initiative is designed to cultivate a generation of "eco-warriors" by integrating environmental education into schools and colleges.

The campaign will be implemented by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), a globally renowned not-for-profit organization with over 40 years of experience in sustainable development.

TERI and the Department of Environment, Government of NCT of Delhi, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the program.

Under the agreement, the Delhi government will allocate ₹40 lakh to TERI for executing the campaign through approximately 2,000 eco-clubs in educational institutions across the Delhi-NCR region.

Spearheaded by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the campaign aims to inspire young people to take active roles in climate action and biodiversity conservation.

"This is not just an awareness campaign — it is a transformational behavior change initiative," said Sirsa at the launch.

"By this drive, we will create two lakh eco-warriors for Delhi. These student eco-warriors will promote and protect the ecosystem and biodiversity of Delhi and India,” added Sirsa.

Scheduled to run from June to November 2025, the campaign will feature a mix of storytelling, hands-on eco-actions, games, and creative communication methods.

The goal is to embed sustainability into the everyday lives of students and encourage long-term environmental stewardship.

One of the core components of the program includes the training of 80 "paryavaran sanrakshaks" — student" and educator eco-leaders — who will undergo capacity-building sessions.

These trained individuals will mentor others within their institutions, fostering a ripple effect of environmental consciousness.

"The Delhi government, under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, is taking a comprehensive approach to environmental protection," Sirsa said.

"We are not limiting ourselves to enforcement or technology. We are investing in awareness, education, and people's participation," the minister added.

The campaign forms a part of Delhi's broader climate and pollution mitigation strategy, which also includes promoting electric vehicle usage, regulatory reforms, and youth-led initiatives.

Officials noted that the sensitization drive underscores the government’s commitment to participatory environmental governance, placing students at the center of long-term sustainable change.