There have been many events and programs that try to rejuvenate this individual & collective responsibility throughout the years; and these programs continue to happen till date, the most recent one being the Green Fest organized by St.Anthony’s Higher Secondary School, Shillong.  The ‘Green Fest’ aimed at targeting the future generation which will inherit the earth, to have this responsibility imbibed in them throughout their lives. An event of this sort believes in the propagation of information through the students to the society at large. Individuals, philanthropists, NGOs and other organizations have been closely involved in such programs.

The North East Educational & Development Society (NEEDS), an NGO based in Shillong, is involved in socio-development issues and has been functioning for the past 7 years. Currently through one of its projects, the Innovative Solid Waste Management Project (ISWMP), 5 prestigious schools are practising the unique concept of ‘zero waste school’ wherein students learn vermi-composting, recycling, designing of waste parks and other environmental preservation techniques.

With this same concept in mind, NEEDS along with Seven Set Higher Secondary School and in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Council for Child Welfare organized an ‘ECO CAMP 2010’ with the theme ‘GREEN IDEAS FOR A GREENER TOMORROW’ recently. The camp was attended by 70 students and 8 teachers from different schools of Shillong. The camp aimed at sensitizing the student community from different schools about ISWMP and other innovative environment preservation techniques.

In due course of the camp, the students were taken for a study tour to Mawlynnong, the cleanest village in Asia, wherein they learned the value of civic responsibility & cooperation in efforts to save and further beautify the environment. They were also trained in ‘integrated & innovative eco friendly crafts’ through resource persons from PIDILITE and MOSAIC Art Gallery.

The camp ended with a community sensitization program at Police Bazaar, the main commercial hub of the city. On this day, students carried out a rally from Seven Set, and also had a cleaning drive and a shopkeeper’s awareness program. There was also an exhibition of craft items made out of recycled materials by the students and distribution of waste bins to hawkers in the area. The function was graced by Shri S.L Singhania, the headman of Police Bazaar, shop owners and people from all walks of life. The main message of the day was to believe in and practice the concepts of reduce, reuse & recycle and the importance of Solid Waste Management.

An appeal also goes out from the students and organizers to policy makers and the current administration for the strict and widespread implementation of existing environmental protection acts and other local laws that will help restore the city & the state at large to its former glory and pristine beauty.