Heritage School Organises Youth 4 Himalayas Workshop In Collaboration With IUCN
Heritage School in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), convened the Youth 4 Himalayas Workshop on 17th April 2025, welcoming 45 students from various schools across Jammu.
This full day event aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of the Himalayan ecosystem and inspire youth led conservation efforts. The workshop began with a formal welcome, where green plants were presented to the resource persons as a symbol of growth and sustainability. A student moderator greeted the participants, followed by the opening address by the Vice Principal, Ms Rashmi Thakur.
In her address, the Vice Principal highlighted the importance of involving youth in environmental initiatives and underscored the relevance of the Himalayas as one of the most ecologically sensitive regions. She shared that Heritage School has consistently promoted green practices through initiatives like eco-clubs, plantation drives, and sustainable campus activities. She also expressed gratitude to IUCN for the collaboration and hoped the workshop would inspire students to become active agents of environmental change.
The sessions were conducted by IUCN team members: Ms. Archana Chatterjee (Programme Manager), Ms. Meenal Pahuja (Senior Project Associate – Habitats and Species), and Ms. Akanksha (Communications and Partnerships Associate). They engaged students in insightful discussions, interactive presentations, and hands-on activities highlighting conservation efforts and climate action.
The workshop was further enriched by expert inputs from Dr. Pankaj Chandan, Director of the Institute for Development, Jammu, and Prof. Sachin Kumar Bhagat, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Government Degree College, Marh. Dr. Pankaj Chandan is a wildlife biologist with 25 years’ experience in Himalayan ecology and wetland management, Senior Conservation Scientist and India Lead for the Black necked Crane project, and author of six books. Prof. Sachin Kumar Bhagat is an avid bird watcher who has documented 483 species in J&K, holds a Diploma in Ornithology, and leads regional bird conservation initiatives.
Their sessions connected environmental knowledge with policy awareness and the role of civic responsibility.
The Youth 4 Himalayas Workshop succeeded in combining awareness building with hands on learning, positioning the participating students to serve as informed advocates for the Himalayan environment.