Students adopt endangered animals at BBP

NT Correspondent

With an aim to create awareness about the welfare of the animals in the wildlife habitat, Ekya School, BTM Layout has encouraged students to start the PAL (Passionate Animal Lovers) initiative as a part of their Service Learning Program.

Through this programme, they have planned to passively adopt a few species in the Bannerghatta Biological Park. Passive adoption gives each student a chance to be a guardian of a few specific species chosen by us from the list provided by the conservationists at Bannerghatta National Park.

Our adoption covers Feed, Maintenance and Veterinary health care expenses. With the motto, ‘Be Kind to Every Kind’, the students have adopted two endangered wildlife species - The Indian Grey Wolf and African Grey Parrot for a year.

This initiative by the school is a part of the ‘Service Learning Program’ (SLP) introduced by Ekya Schools, where students can be involved in activities beyond academics. The Service Learning Program was introduced at Ekya Schools as it helps students identify themselves as part of the community and pick up on civic engagement skills.

It encourages students to understand more deeply about their local communities, gain practical skills, develop their career and personal interests. Dr Tristha Ramamurthy, Founder & Managing Director, Ekya Schools, and Provost, CMR University said, “We have introduced SLP to bring students and teachers communities together, build their bond stronger and work for a noble cause. We are thrilled to see students coming forward and donating money for the adoption.”

“We are happy to announce that our students have adopted two endangered species at the Bannerghatta National Park. Adoption is just the initial phase. Regular educational tours will be organized for the students to widen the circle of compassion to embrace the animals and their habitat. We will be visiting the park frequently to understand the growth of the adopted animal and foster their needs on a periodical basis. More than just contributing money, we have undertaken this program to let students take ownership of the animals’ well being,” said Deepa Rani, Head of School, Ekya School BTM Layout.

Under this initiative, a total of Rs 33,000 was raised through various crowdfunding and contributions by the students. The same was handed over to Dr Sunil Panwar, Forest Service Officer, Conservator of Forests and Executive Director of Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bangalore. He conveyed his gratitude to the School and the management.