Growing Minds, Growing Gardens – Aurovanam’s July Highlights

During his visit, Bernard explored Aurovanam’s native TDEF (Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest) plant habitats, observed our sustainable initiatives, and warmly praised the team’s efforts in combining ecological restoration with environmental education. He especially encouraged us to strengthen our outreach to children, helping them form a lasting connection with the natural world from an early age.

One of the most exciting steps in this direction is our School Kitchen Garden Program. This initiative aims to bring nature, nutrition, and hands-on learning into the everyday lives of students in government schools. In July, our team visited four government schools in Puducherry to conduct feasibility studies — assessing available land, water access, and community involvement to ensure each garden thrives.

These kitchen gardens will be living classrooms, where children will:

• Learn how to grow vegetables, herbs, and fruits.

• Understand the link between soil health, nutrition, and personal well-being.

• Develop respect for the environment through direct experience.

• Gain skills in teamwork, responsibility, and sustainable practices.

We’ve now crafted detailed garden designs tailored to each school’s unique environment, and implementation will begin in August 2025. Over time, these gardens will not only provide fresh, healthy produce but will also act as interactive spaces for science, ecology, and life skills education.