Maval region is located between Pune and Mumbai and is a major tourist attraction for citizens of both metro cities. Apart from historical and scenic natural landscape values this region has also been identified as important global hotspot for its biological diversity. Increasing tourism and urbanization pressures are leading to inevitable changes in social, cultural, economical as well as ecological changes in locality.
Sahyadri mountain ranges of this region act as water catchment for Pune and Mumbai Cities. Considering these facts Indian Herpetological Society has undertaken an environment awareness program for the villagers of Maval tehsil through Uttara’s School of Environment. The school is working for promotion of following Objectives.
• Clean, Potable and Assured Water supply
• Promotion of Clean and Renewable Energy sources
• Creative recycling of Non degradable waste for economic viability
The Uttara’s School of Environment acts as an Environment Resource Center. More than 20 schools and 10 villages are connected to this center. This center has more than 800 working models demonstrating above objectives. This school is equipped with a computer laboratory, Library having over 100 of environment related books and a classroom having audio-visual facilities. Every day a group of children or women working through Self Help Groups from attached villages are trained here.

This school is working with innovative “Do It Yourself” method to teach environmental facts. It provides all raw materials which is usually a waste to every participant. These participants then work under the guidance of our tutors to make a useful object out of this raw material. This entire activity is conducted for free.
This training emphasizes on creating eco-friendly alternatives from locally available resources. A Solar Cooker made out of used scooter tube and a piece of glass, a water filter made from two mineral water bottles, Solar water heater made of water bottles, etc. are just a few examples to mention.

The Uttara School aspires to spread out this work in more villages across the Maval region. We plan to reach out to more than 30 villages and 100 schools covering these programs. The target groups covered under the program will be school children, local youth, rural women and tribal communities. We expect to reach around 50,000 people during this program. Uttara Schools successful programs will be conducted in these villages and more students and villagers will be involved in this program.
Uttara School has linked environmental concepts in their day to day life and it is offering an alternative eco-friendly life style. This approach also provides opportunities for livelihood generation which ensures long term and sustainable impacts of the project.
This innovative approach adopted by Uttara School has shown following results
1. Awareness in communities for environment related issues
2. Proper waste segregation at source and its management
3. Books and other printed material for recycling guidance
4. Improved health and hygiene conditions
5. Additional Income opportunities through waste minimization
6. Segregation and management of waste at the source
7. Creating Market opportunities for recycled materials (Souvenir Shops)