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The Roots & Shoots project, inspired by Dr. Goodall’s global youth movement, was introduced in Nepal in 2008 and became a core program of JGIN in 2013. This youth-led initiative empowers young people to take action on biodiversity conservation, climate change, waste management, and animal welfare.
We conducted workshops to build sparrow nests and installed them at Rato Bangala School (8 nests) and New Star Pole School (5 nests). The purpose was to provide safe homes for sparrows and to raise awareness among students about the importance of bird conservation. It was an exciting way to teach students about the role of birds in nature and how we can help protect them.
At New Star Pole School and Swostishree Gurukul, we carried out a composting project to teach students about waste management and the importance of composting. We used kitchen waste to make compost and created small kitchen gardens. This project helped students connect with nature, understand the role of soil, and learn about sustainable farming.
We organized trips to the Animal Sanctuary in Dukuchhap, Lalitpur, for students from New Star Pole School and Swostishree Gurukul. The purpose of these trips was to allow students to interact with animals and learn about their welfare needs. It was an opportunity for students to connect with animals and understand the importance of their protection.
We educated students about eight local species of Nepal listed under the PANN (People’s Alliance for Nature Nepal) initiatives at New Star Pole School through the presentation. The goal was to raise awareness about endangered species and the importance of protecting biodiversity. We emphasized the urgent need for conservation efforts.
We showed educational documentaries on environmental and animal welfare issues. One documentary was about Dr. Jane Goodall’s journey, and another was the movie Okja. These screenings sparked important discussions among students about conservation and animal rights, encouraging them to think more deeply about these issues.
We organized a quiz session at New Star Pole School to help students learn about the wildlife of Nepal. The quiz focused on the status of animals, birds, and insects in Nepal, encouraging students to become more aware of the challenges facing local species.
On Jane Goodall’s birthday, we collaborated with Kathmandu locals to feed street dogs at the Teku dumping site. Around 50-60 dogs were fed on April 3rd, 2024. This was done to show care for street dogs and to raise awareness about the needs of these animals.
To celebrate World Chimpanzee Day, we made a short documentary about Jane Goodall’s journey and the F-family of chimpanzees. Students from Neighbourhood School acted out scenes from Jane’s life, bringing her story to life. We also highlighted the poor conditions of chimpanzees in central zoo of Nepal, raising awareness about the challenges faced by captive animals.
At Swostishree Gurukul, we installed a water feeding bowl using recycled water bottles. The goal was to provide a source of water for animals and birds in the area, especially where water is scarce. This simple act helped promote the importance of water conservation and animal welfare.
Instead of celebrating just one day, we decided to celebrate Peace Month. We conducted various peace-related projects in different schools. These included planting a peace tree made from waste paper at Akshara School, organizing a peace walk, peace symbol and peace message at Swostishree Gurukul, creating a peace pledge wall at New Star Pole School, designing of Peace card by Rato Bangala School and hosting yoga sessions at Peace Point Academy. The goal was to promote peace and harmony through creative and engaging activities.
We held a session on the 3Rs-Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle-at Akshara School, Peace Point Academy, and Swostishree Gurukul. An expert was invited to teach students how to manage waste and make better choices for the environment. The session focused on how to reduce waste, reuse materials, and recycle properly.
