Kurseong forest division brings students closer to nature

In a bid to tackle the growing addiction of school students towards mobile phones, the Kurseong Forest division has launched an innovative programme — “Screen to Green.”

Spearheaded by Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Devesh Pandey, the initiative encourages schoolchildren to unplug from digital devices and experience the natural world first-hand.

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As part of the programme, a special excursion was recently organised at Bengal Safari, North Bengal Wild Animal Park. A group of 26 students, accompanied by five teachers and representatives of the Tarai Tea Garden Workers and Labour Welfare Society, participated in a day of interactive, eco-friendly activities under the supervision of forest officials. The team included Manas Kanti Ghosh, range officer of the Elephant Squad Range, and Suraj Mukhya, range officer of Tukriajhar Range.

During the visit, students explored the park’s diverse wildlife, engaged in animal identification activities, enjoyed bird-watching walks and took part in eco-trekking sessions designed to spark curiosity and appreciation for the environment. Fun games and awareness sessions on forest and wildlife conservation added a hands-on learning experience to the day.

According to officials, the Screen to Green project will continue, inviting more schools to participate in free excursions to ecotourism spots under the Kurseong Forest division. “Our goal is to help children disconnect from screens and reconnect with nature — learning not only by reading but by seeing, touching, and experiencing the green world around them,” said a senior forest officer.

Principals and school authorities across the region have been encouraged to collaborate with the Kurseong Forest division to plan similar trips. By bringing students closer to nature, the initiative aims to create a generation that is more environmentally conscious and less dependent on digital devices.