In smog‑heavy Faridabad and the wider Delhi NCR region, an innovative education initiative has turned forgotten government school libraries into vibrant eco‑friendly learning hubs that teach children about sustainability and climate action while shielding them from hazardous air quality.
The Green Pencil Foundation, supported by Imperial Auto Industries’ CSR programme, has launched four fully operational eco‑libraries across government schools, where students engage in practical lessons on waste management, vertical gardening, climate literacy and everyday sustainability alongside traditional reading activities.
Educators and foundation officials say this climate‑centred learning is helping children cope with severe pollution and fostering long‑term environmental responsibility. Principals laud the initiative for blending quality education with health‑centred design, while district officials and educators highlight greater student participation and wellbeing.
Eco‑Libraries as Climate Classrooms
Across four government schools in Faridabad including the Government Senior Secondary School and Government Girls Senior Secondary School in Chhainsa, as well as institutions in NIT‑5 and Sector 7 Sihi once‑neglected library rooms have been transformed into dynamic eco‑learning spaces adorned with vertical gardens made from recycled plastic bottles, bamboo furniture, segregated waste bins and inspirational sustainability murals.
Designed to reduce indoor pollution exposure and nurture curiosity, these libraries also prioritise natural ventilation, access to daylight and indoor plants so students can learn comfortably during periods of high pollution, when outdoor air quality indexes often reach “very poor” or “severe” levels across the Delhi NCR. Students are encouraged to participate actively painting plant containers, caring for indoor gardens, sorting waste and taking part in workshops on climate science, water conservation, and sustainable habits.
A student from Government Senior Secondary School told reporters that working with plants and reading environmental books had made her more aware of pollution and encouraged her to adopt eco‑friendly habits at home. Educators have noticed significant changes in student behaviour, ranging from refusing single‑use plastics to planting saplings with family members.
Bridging Education, Health and Sustainability
The eco‑library initiative, launched sequentially between September and October 2025, builds on the Green Pencil Foundation’s earlier Clean and Green Faridabad Mission, which engaged more than 1,200 students in sustainability workshops and community activities.
In his remarks during the launch, Mr Sandy Khanda, Founder and Director of the Green Pencil Foundation, said the project aligns with international and national priorities including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), India’s Net Zero vision, the Vikshit Bharat Mission, and the ’Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign. He emphasised that libraries should evolve beyond book storage into “green learning ecosystems” where students feel inspired to protect their environment and health.
“This eco‑library initiative is not merely about reading. It is about creating a mindset that values sustainability and links everyday choices from waste segregation to learning with nature with global climate challenges,” said Mr Khanda.
Principals of the participating schools echoed this sentiment. Ms Sushma Yadav, Principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Chhainsa, said the programme “places sustainability at the heart of our school culture”, while another principal noted its inclusiveness, particularly for girls, thanks to features such as sanitary pad vending machines and gender‑sensitive infrastructure.
Meanwhile, officials from the district education office and local administration have praised the project’s community‑centric model, stating that embedding sustainability into everyday school life helps cultivate not just environmental awareness but also lifelong civic responsibility among students especially those from low‑income backgrounds who may not have access to private resources like air purifiers.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we view this quiet, grassroots innovation as a model for how climate education can be integrated compassionately and meaningfully into public schooling, particularly in regions where environmental hazards compromise children’s health and learning.
In a context where policy discussions often focus on large‑scale technological interventions, the eco‑library initiative highlights the profound impact of bottom‑up educational change that centres young lives, dignity and wellbeing. It shows how schools can become sites of both intellectual growth and environmental stewardship, not isolated from the world’s pressing challenges but deeply connected to them.
Also read: From Malls to Petrol Pumps: How Chandigarh’s Excise Policy 2026-27 Redefines Alcohol Sale
