Nashik, 17th August, 2024: Nashik’s journey towards sustainable urban living took a significant step forward as students of the Green Wall team from Delhi Public School Nashik visited the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) office on 2nd August 2024. They met with Shri Kalpesh Patil Assistant Director Town Planning Department, Nashik Mahanagara Palika, Nashik and the Deputy Commissioner, Ajit Nikat of Godavari Sanvardhan to present a proposal aimed at integrating green wall installations in upcoming small-scale apartment buildings across the city.

During the meeting, the green wall team members passionately discussed the environmental benefits of green walls, such as improved air quality, thermal insulation, and enhanced urban biodiversity. They emphasized the importance of incorporating sustainable practices into urban planning to address the challenges posed by rapid urbanization. The Town Planning Officer and the Deputy Commissioner responded positively to the proposal, acknowledging the potential impact of green walls on the city’s landscape and environment. They encouraged the club to collaborate with experts to draft comprehensive guidelines for implementing the initiative in Nashik’s urban planning policies.

This meeting marked a significant milestone in the Eco Club’s ongoing efforts to make Nashik a greener city, underscoring the importance of community involvement in environmental conservation.

This initiative was inspired by a simple yet profound question from a grade 3 student at DPS Nashik: “Why can’t I have plants in my apartment like I see at school or in the garden?” This query highlighted the issue of space constraints in small-scale apartment buildings and sparked a movement within the school.

The student’s wish led to a collaborative project among the grade 3 students, who decided to create a vertical garden or “Green Wall” in their friend’s apartment. With the support of their school director, Mr. Siddharth Rajgarhia, facilitator Ms.Shwetha V. the students collected plants, soil, and reusable plastic bottles to build the first green wall. This successful initiative didn’t stop there; the students went on to install seven more green walls in various apartments across Nashik.

However, the journey was not without its challenges. Convincing apartment residents to allow these installations required persistence. The students wrote letters, persuaded their parents, and repeatedly requested permission to bring their green vision to life. Despite the limited broader community response, these young changemakers remained determined to spread their green wall project throughout Nashik.

The Green wall team’s visit to the NMC office represents the next phase of this movement, aiming to extend the impact of their efforts citywide. What began as a child’s simple wish has now evolved into a city-wide initiative, with the potential to inspire other cities to follow suit and rethink their relationship with nature.