Punjab Honored with ‘Best State’ and ‘Best District’ Awards under Green Schools Programme
- Renowned Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk bestows the Award to Punjab State Council for Science & Technology
Chandigarh, February 4: Punjab has achieved a remarkable milestone in environmental education and sustainability by winning the prestigious ‘Best State’ and ‘Best District’ awards at the Green Schools Awards 2025, organized by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The awards were presented by renowned environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk and Ms. Sunita Narain, Head of the Centre for Science and Environment, to Er. Pritpal Singh, Executive Director, and Dr. Kulbir Singh Bath, Joint Director of the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST).
A unique initiative of CSE the Green Schools Programme (GSP) has been actively implemented in Punjab by PSCST under its Environment Education Programme. The program encourages schools to optimize resource management by conducting rigorous environmental audits across six key domains like air, energy, food, land, water and waste. These awards recognize Punjab’s leadership in fostering environmental sustainability and awareness among students and educational institutions.
Out of 11,917 registered schools nationwide, 7406 schools from Punjab completed environmental audits, accounting for 84% of all audits conducted across the country. A total of 196 schools from Punjab were awarded Green School status, including 171 government schools and 25 private schools. Best District Award bestowed to Hoshiarpur District with setting up a national record with 1,945 schools completing environmental audits, the highest number from any district in India.
These accolades solidify Punjab’s position as a leader in environmental education and underscore the state’s dedication to creating a sustainable future. The success of the Green Schools Programme serves as a model for other states to emulate, highlighting the importance of integrating environmental consciousness into the education system.