Nurturing Ecological Awareness Through Outreach and Experiential Learning – January at Aurovanam

In January 2026, Aurovanam continued to strengthen its role as a hub for environmental education and ecological outreach, engaging diverse groups of students and the wider community through immersive learning experiences and large-scale environmental exhibitions. The month focused on promoting awareness of biodiversity, sustainable living practices, and the unique Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF) ecosystem through both on-campus programmes and external outreach initiatives.

A key highlight of the month was Aurovanam’s participation in Ecofest 2026, held on January 30 at Lady Willingdon Government Model Girls Higher Secondary School, Triplicane, Chennai, and organized by Pichandikulam Forest. Representing Aurovanam, Mr. Sivapragasam attended the event as a guest resource person, contributing to knowledge-sharing on native biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. The exhibition showcased a rich display of native vegetables cultivated at Aurovanam along with a curated collection of indigenous seeds from the Aurovanam Seed Bank. The stall attracted significant attention from approximately 5,000 students from various schools across Chennai, creating a meaningful platform to foster curiosity about traditional food systems, seed conservation, and ecological sustainability among young learners.

Alongside external outreach, Aurovanam’s Environmental Education Programmes remained highly active throughout the month, offering structured orientation sessions centered on the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF) ecosystem. These sessions were designed to provide students with experiential exposure to biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and sustainable technologies. Participants explored key ecological learning spaces including the TDEF Nursery, Butterfly Garden, and Medicinal Plant Garden, which helped them understand plant diversity, pollinator interactions, and the ecological importance of native species.

The sustainability component of the visits introduced students to practical, eco-friendly technologies such as the solar dryer, solar cooker, and bio-gas unit, enabling them to observe real-life applications of renewable energy and waste-to-resource systems. Guided forest trails and tours of the native vegetable garden further enriched the learning experience by connecting theoretical environmental concepts with direct observation and interaction with nature.

During January, a total of 193 students visited Aurovanam as part of institutional educational visits. On January 21, 54 nursing students from Indira Gandhi Medical and Research Institute participated in an orientation programme that highlighted the link between environmental health and community well-being. Subsequently, students from Immaculate Heart of Mary’s Government Aided High School attended experiential learning visits, with 64 students from 8th standard on January 23 and 75 students from 7th standard on January 29. These visits enabled school students to gain hands-on understanding of biodiversity, sustainability practices, and ecological stewardship through guided exploration and interactive sessions.

Overall, the month of January reflected Aurovanam’s continued commitment to environmental literacy, youth engagement, and biodiversity awareness. Through a balanced combination of large-scale outreach and on-site experiential education, Aurovanam successfully expanded its educational impact while nurturing a deeper ecological consciousness among students and the wider community.