Ahmedabad schools have been directed to organise water and energy conservation activities on the last working day before the Diwali vacation, as concerns over lower rainfall, possible water shortages and rising electricity demand increase pressure on the city’s natural resources.
Ahmedabad district education officer Rohit Chaudhari issued the direction to all primary, secondary and higher secondary schools under Ahmedabad city jurisdiction. According to the circular, schools must conduct a special assembly and related awareness activities before the holiday break.
The initiative will focus on responsible electricity use. Students will be advised to switch off lights, fans, air conditioners and other electrical appliances when they are not required. Schools will also encourage the use of natural light and ventilation wherever possible.
The programme will introduce students to alternative energy sources, including solar power. The directive places the activities within a broader effort to promote more careful use of limited natural resources amid concerns about electricity demand and water availability in the coming months.
Water conservation will form the other central part of the exercise. Students will be taught about rational water use, preventing leakage and conservation methods such as rainwater harvesting. The activities are intended to connect everyday behaviour inside schools and homes with the wider challenge of securing water supplies.
On the last working day before the Diwali vacation, schools will provide guidance on saving water and energy during a special assembly. Students will also take part in a collective reading of a pledge committing them to the rational use of water and electricity and to sustainable practices.
The directive does not prescribe any financial contribution or compulsory purchase for students and their families. Chaudhari has clarified that schools must not impose pressure, mandatory compliance or any financial burden on students or parents as part of the initiative.
The order comes as Ahmedabad faces concerns related to lower rainfall this year and the possibility of water shortages in the months ahead. The circular, however, does not specify a city-wide water-saving target, a monitoring mechanism or a reporting requirement for schools. Its immediate implementation will therefore depend on how individual institutions conduct the assembly and awareness activities before the Diwali break.
