Neer Naari Aur Vigyan project educates school kids on water conservation

Rajkumari Sharma Tankha

Driven by a passion for building an environmentally sustainable ecosystem, environmentalist Rakesh Khatri has launched the Neer, Naari Aur Vigyan project under his organisation, Eco Roots Foundation, which works to conserve natural resources and protect the environment.

The initiative focuses on water conservation, targeting young students—especially girls—as key ambassadors for spreading awareness. Khatri conducts theatre workshops for children studying in classes six to nine across government schools and Kendriya Vidyalayas, teaching them the importance of responsible water usage and scientific conservation methods.

“Women play a crucial role in storing and managing water at homes, whether in cities or villages,” says Khatri. “Educating young girls on scientific water conservation today prepares them to tackle future shortages responsibly.” The programme is conducted in collaboration with the NCSTC division of the Department of Science and Technology, with support from NCSTC scientist Dr. Pomposh Kumar.

Since its inception in November 2016, the project has reached 170 schools in 16 cities across Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, with plans to cover 70 more schools in Meghalaya and Rajasthan. Workshops teach students to create skits, street plays, posters, and mime performances highlighting water conservation, sustainable usage, and methods like drip irrigation.

“These children not only learn about water scarcity but also become messengers for change in their communities,” says Khatri. In Indore, students even enacted plays highlighting issues presented to the National Green Tribunal, showing how theatre can effectively educate and empower the next generation about water and environmental sustainability.