We recently hosted a two-day nature education program at the primary government school in Gugaliyana village of Surendranagar district of Gujarat. Gugaliyana village comprises of stoney grasslands that are important for both pastoralism and biodiversity. The landscape is home to threatened species like the Indian grey wolf, the Indian star tortoise and the critically endangered plant Commiphora wightii or guggal. The program aimed to encourage a deeper appreciation for local grassland biodiversity among 70 students from classes 6th to 8th. There were two outdoor sessions: one on native plants, led by Khyati Thacker, and another on native fauna, conducted by Malaika Mathew Chawla- along with other team members Suresh Kuvadiya, Kiran Patel, and Akshat Kumar.
The first day’s focus was on the rich world of native plants. Students headed on a plant walk through the local scrub-grassland, identifying and classifying various species according to their habits. They also learned about the ethnomedicinal uses of these plants and prepared their own herbariums.
To enrich the learning experience and to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and community knowledge, pastoralist youth were invited from the community to contribute their knowledge. This approach aimed to address the diminishing interest in local biodiversity and preserve traditional knowledge, ensuring its continuity for future generations. In the photo below, you can see Merubhai Bharwad answering questions and identifying local plants for the children!
In this plant walk, students divided into groups to observe different plant habits like Tree, Shrub, Herb, Grass and Climber. The enthusiastic participants collected around 45 plant species, gaining insights from both community members and the Sahjeevan team. Interactive games related to ecosystems and plant adaptations further enhanced their learning experience.
On the second day, we focused on the animals that live in grasslands—from wolves and foxes to reptiles and birds. The children joined in discussions about the different animals they see in the grasslands around them. Some of them said they were scared of wolves, so we talked about wolves, their role in nature, their population status in India, and what they eat. We also cleared up some misunderstandings about wolves, helping the children feel less afraid.
Next, we headed to a seasonal pond in the grassland and played ‘Bird Bingo’. The children were given bingo sheets with simple tasks like spotting a bird in flight, a bird with a long tail, one on the ground, a bird with its food, and a colorful bird. The sheets were in Gujarati and based on local birds (adapted from Early Bird’s resources). The children also learned the names of birds in Gujarati and how to use binoculars to watch them.
After birdwatching, the children explored the grassland on their own, looking at plants, birds, and insects. Later, we gathered in the classroom, and they drew the birds they had seen during the walk.
To end our two-day session, we invited our community collaborator Merubhai Bharwad to give each child a Gujarati storybook about spiny-tailed lizards and a coloring sheet of the Indian star tortoise to take home. It was a fun day full of learning and new experiences for both the trainers and the children.
We are working on nature education material that is place-based and instills an appreciation for savanna grasslands. If anyone (nature educators, artists, conservationists) would like to collaborate with us, do let us know!
