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April 22nd every year is celebrated as Earth Day. It is an annual reminder of our responsibility to be good stewards of the Earth. One can contribute to a healthier Earth in multiple ways: plant a tree, pick up trash, purchase biodegradable products, and commit to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Planting trees is one of the easiest and most sustainable ways to positively affect the environment. We need trees now more than ever! Believing in this and making her powerful impact, 17 year old renowned environmentalist ARUSHI MADAN commemorated Earth Day by planting 40 saplings with 40 kids at 'Kids Paradise Nursery, Sharjah'. She gave them simple to understand environment talk, took their promise and planted trees(saplings) with them. She planted 40 saplings with each of the 40 kids there.
“I am glad that I involved these kids in such a nature loving activity. It was so pleasing to see them anxiously looking at the saplings, putting soil in the pod, watering the sapling, getting engrossed in the whole process of plantation and enjoying it . I did this ahead of Earth Day to give a true meaning to Earth Day”, says Arushi Madan.
The years of early childhood are the time to prepare the soil to grow a healthy tree. So ahead of Earth Day, I decided to plant trees(saplings) with young kids to teach them important lesson on tree and nature and to make them remember for ever the significance of trees. It is rightly said “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn” that's why I made it a point to plant saplings with the small kids to lay green foundation for them , explains Arushi.
“Kids Paradise Nursery” believes in holistic development of kids and appreciates giving them environmental education in these early years. Principal Mrs. Shireen Mustafa applauded and welcomed this tree plantation by Arushi as “Plants and Trees” is the theme of this month in the school. School teachers will make these 40 kids water these 40 saplings daily so that these kids feel the nature and see the sapling growing.
Further Madan says “Planting trees should be part of every school curriculum as trees are the lungs and lifelines of Earth. Students become aware that they can play a role in protecting the environment through personal involvement. By involving them and making them primary planters , it gave them a sense of ownership and increased their knowledge of trees. Experience of such events will help them make intelligent decisions about conservation and use of our valuable natural resources.”
Activities like these generate kids' interest in environment and create the sense of responsibility (towards environment) in the child's behavior and foster environmental stewardship.
Arushi Madan is known for her environment advocacy and is the winner of many national and international awards . She was the only UAE winner of “International Young Eco Hero award” last year. With inspirational activities like these , she is sure leaving her mark but not the footprint.
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