MY COASTAL MY COASTAL

VILLAGEVILLAGEMY ENVIRONMENT MY ENVIRONMENT

AN INITIATIVE OF THE ICZMP GUJARAT

Children's Drawing Competition

Communication and outreach remain an important aspect of the ICZMP Gujarat. Communication with stakeholders is a priority of the SPMU and we endeavour to closely engage with the diverse range of stakeholders under the project. Young people, the future custodians of the environment and our world, are equally important stakeholders not just in the ICZMP but the environment at large. This drawing competition gave young people an opportunity to engage in a drawing activity based on the theme “My Coastal village, My Environment”. I am very happy to note that through this competition we reached out to over 10,000 children, 40,000 families and hundreds of teachers, all uniting in their pride for their children. I welcome you to read and enjoy this visual treat of colours from Gujarat’s coast!

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F O R E W O R DProject Director

Dr. A.K. Verma, IFS,

Project Director, ICZMP Gujarat

Communicating with the Future Custodians of the Coasts: An overview of the Final Drawing Competition in Bhuj

Children and young people are the future custodians of our planet. They, and their children after them, are the inheritors of the environment which is why communicating with them about the subject is extremely important. With growing environmental concerns around the globe, sensitizing children and young people about environmental conservation has become a priority for Government institutions and various national and international bodies. In this vein, Gujarat Ecology Commission sought an opportunity for environmental communication with children and young people by way of a Drawing Competition based on the theme “My Coastal Village, My Environment”.The preliminary drawing competition began on September 5, 2013 on the occasion of Teacher’s Day. The competition went on till September 12th in 205 primary schools reaching out to more than 10,079 children. The winners of these competitions appeared for the final Drawing Competition which was held in Bhuj on September 16, 2013. Over 400 students participated in the final drawing competition and drew paintings on the theme “My coastal village, my environment”.

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INTRODUCTION

The students were accompanied by their parents and teachers. The competition began at 10:30 am and ended at 12:30 pm. The paintings were judged by a team of four artists: Mr. Navin Soni, Mr, Dhayabhai Desai, Mr. Vraj Soneji and Ms.Nimishaben Bhatt. The chief guests for the prize distribution ceremony were Mr. A. C. Sampat, Director, GEC; Mr. Tarachand Chheda, MLA; Mr. R. V. Asari, Retd. IFS, Director, GUIDE, Bhuj; Mr. N. M. Rathod, DPEO, Kachchh; Mr. P. A. Vihol, Kachchh Forest Division (West) and Mr. M. R. Gajjar. The winners were awarded cash prizes and certificates. A slogan writing competition was held especially for the 153 teachers present for the competition. The topics for slogan writing competition were ‘my coastal village, my environment’ and ‘the conservation of marine life’. The teachers participated in the slogan writing with great enthusiasm. It was announced that the best slogans willbe displayed on the ICZMP website. The drawing and slogan writing competitions also commemorated the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. The enthusiasm of the children and their smiling faces were the highlights of the event. On the whole, GEC reached out to 10,079 students, 205 schools and 42,006 families in 160 villages of the project area to create an impact through art and children’s participation which is a special achievement. Also worthy of mention is the support of various NGOs, resource centres and the Education Department that came together to make this event a success.

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Environmental Communication remains an important objective of the ICZMP. It is very important to communicate with young people, the future custodians of the planet, about the environment. The drawing competition held for the children of the Gulf of Kachchh was one such environmental communication activity. The event saw participation from 400 enthusiastic children and youngsters. .

IMPACT

10,000 Young

Participants

10,000 Young

Participants 400 Finalists

400 Finalists

150Teachers

150Teachers

The drawing competition gave young people the opportunity to give expression to their thoughts and perceptions about their environment.

► The final session of the Drawing Competition marked the

commemoration of International Day for the Preservation

of the Ozone Layer

► The event was made even more colourful by a

traditional song and dance performance by three

young girls

► The competition’s success was a result of a successful

collaboration between Gujarat Ecology Commission

and various other departments such as the Department

for Education, Kachchh Forest Circle etc.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

STARTING A DIALOGUE WITH YOUNG MINDS

A C H I E V E M E N T S

Most children and young people belonging to the GoK region come from modest backgrounds with limited opportunities for recreation.The final drawing competition, held in Bhuj, brought together children from various parts of the Gulf of Kachchh to engage in a creative and artistic activity.

The young winners achieved a sense of accomplishment, which is a must for every child and young person.

Parents and teachers of the children were proud and happy to see their children participating in an event on this large a scale, and appreciated their talent and creativity.

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Standard 1 to 4First prize:

Ishita Rathod, Navyug P.S. Vadinar, Jamnagar [Rs. 10,000/-]

Second prize:

Haresh Koshi, Moti Chirai P. S., Bhachau, Kachchh [Rs. 7,500/-]

Third prize:

Vishal Bamniya (Hadiyala P. S. Jodiya, Jamnagar [Rs. 5,000/-]

Standard 5 to 8First prize:

Khalifa Aabid, Nani Chirai P. S., Bhachau, Kachchh [Rs. 10,000/-]

Second prize:

Malek Nafisabanu, Mugani P. S, Jamnagar [Rs. 7,500/-]

Third prize:

Rahul Madam (Pindara P. S, Jamnagar [Rs. 5,000/-]

THE WINNERS

Gujarat Ecology CommissionForests & Environment Department, Govt. of Gujarat

Block 18, 1st Floor, Udhyog Bhavan, Sector-11,

Gandhinagar (GUJARAT)

Visit us: www.geciczmp.com | www.gec.gujarat.gov.in Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GEC.GujaratFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gujarat_ecologyRead our Wordpress Blog: http://gujecocomission.wordpress.com/

Compilation, Photo credits and Publication: