‘Jalapaadom’(Lessons on water), a unique wetland conservation education programme launched on 4th October 2007 in consultation with the State Education Department is aimed at spreading environmental awareness, particularly among the student community. Fifty schools in the Vembanad region have partnered in this program by forming student’s Wetland Study Centres (WSCs). Each year approximately 100 teachers and 5000 students directly participate in the program.
Since its inception, it continues to fulfill its goals of gaining and imparting understanding of basic lake ecology including interrelationships among natural systems through interactive programs, creating awareness about the socio-cultural and economic functions of the wetlands, promoting activities that prevent the lake pollution, discovering and participating in resource management activities which are practical and appropriate for students of different age groups through the programs at various levels.
To ensure effective implementation of the program, an eleven member steering committee headed by Director of Public Instruction (DPI) is constituted. The curriculum committee under the leadership of an environmental education expert is supporting the preparation of the resource materials for the program.
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