The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is all set to spend Rs 20 lakh a year, for the next five years, on creating environmental awareness. The amount has been earmarked as expenses to impart awareness lessons to 20,000 schoolchildren and 1,000 teachers next month onwards. What makes it all the more interesting is that, as in the case of infrastructure projects, the PMC is inviting bids for the project.

PMC Environment Officer (under JNNURM) Vikram Jadhavar said the Centre for Environment Education, Pune University and Lotus Environment have evinced interest.

“The best in the field would be hired to impart environment education in the city growing at a fast pace. The best effort is needed to conserve environment with public participation,” Mangesh Dighe, PMC Environment Conservation Officer, said. He said the civic administration had started preparing a detailed ward-wise Environment Status Report (ESR) last year onwards so that initiatives to improve conditions are taken as per requirement of each ward.

“The civic administration has decided to create awareness on a large scale among the public,” Dighe said.

Four-hour lecture series, presentations and practical studies will be carried out for each batch of 40, Jadhavar said, adding that the infrastructure for holding classes, exhibitions and seminars has been set up. To start with, students of PMC-run schools will be taught conservation methods.

Teachers of civic schools, senior citizens and members of self-help groups will also impart lessons, he said.

Meanwhile, the PMC Environment Cell has roped in social organisations for preparing the ESR for the year. “The data compiled by all NGOs working in the environment sector will be used for preparing the ESR,” Jadhavar said.

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