Tulsi (Basil):Tulsi is mostly used for medicinal purposes. It cures fever, colds and infections. It is widely used in skin related problems. It is also used as insect repellent. It is believed to promote longevity. Tulsi is taken in many forms: as herbal tea, dried powder, fresh leaf or mixed with ghee.

Aloe Vera:Extracts from Aloe Vera are widely used in rejuvenating, healing, or soothing. It is mainly used for sunburns, cold sores and frostbite. It Helps in regulation of bowels, epilepsy, depression, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and glaucoma.

Ardusi:Ardusi is very helpful in cold and cough which is a very common diseases in India. Ardusi along with ginger, and ajwain gives very good result in cold and cough. It is quite throat soothing.

Mint:Mint is used to treat stomach ache and chest pains. It is commonly used in the form of tea as a home remedy to help alleviate stomach pain. It is also used to whiten teeth. A common use is as an antipruritic, especially in insect bite treatments.

Lemon Grass:Lemon Grass is used to relief cough and nasal congestion. It is also used in tea, soups and curries. Its oil is commonly used as a "lure" to attract honey bees. It has ability to repel insects.

be a Plant Buddy

Paudhandehi

The project “Paudhandehi” (meaning: seeking plants) was started under the National Paryavaran Mitra Puraskar, a competition organized by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India and Centre for Environment Education in 2013.

This project encourages children to develop affinity towards nature and develop sensitivity towards usage of green cover in daily life. It promotes awareness and usage of herbal plants. This specific goal has been created to combat the health challenges.

In the first year, our student team conducted awareness campaigns, created medicinal plant banks, organized expert lectures on medicinal benefits of herbal plants. It also enable students to understand importance of herbal plant growth in Gujarat. Our team also performed community outreach activity.

After making more than 250 plant buddies we started working on sustainable model in government schools and schools in slum areas with the help of principals, teachers and parents.

In 2013 I was also declared a State Winner and Youngest National Changemaker in this Competition.

Naman ParikhVadodara2013 - 2019

Herbal Plants

An Environment Initiative

Sustainability

Action Plan:

Conservation & preservation of nature is necessary for survival and growth of mankind. However, people are unable to appreciate nature's role for human existence.

It is therefore necessary that the children are encouraged to develop affinity towards nature. One of the components of nature is plants - flora & fauna. In fact, some of these herbal plants has lot of medicinal value.

It can help in preventing some of the diseases before or early stages. They say – “Prevention is better than cure”.

Ÿ To inculcate respect and affection amongst students for plants and make more plant buddies.

Ÿ To create awareness about herbal plants and its medicinal application among government and schools in slum areas.

Ÿ To sustain movement for environment conservation.

Objectives:

Target Groups:Ÿ Navprerna School, Vadodara

Ÿ Maa Bharti Prathamik Goverment School, Akota

Ÿ Arpan School (School for children with multiple disabilities)

Ÿ Sensitizing students & creating volunteers' team

Ÿ Encouraging students to involve in the project

Ÿ Delegating duties & preparing project planning

Ÿ Developing and nourishing herbal plant bank

Ÿ Educating usages of herbal plants to students

Ÿ Outreach activities in government and community schools

Ÿ Mentoring students for nurturing herbal plant bank and promoting usage of herbal plant in Maa Bharti Corporation School (Government) and the Navprerna school (slum area) in Vadodara.

Ÿ Formed a core team of 'plant buddies' in both these schools who have been delegated with 10 responsibilities that they have to undertake as a team leader.

Ÿ Team leader maintain a log of quantitative data pertaining to plant growth, water retention capacity, etc. of their plants.

Ÿ Arrange meetings with school principals, teachers and parents.

Ÿ Conducted plantation activities, organized awareness sessions of medicinal benefits of herbal plants.

Ÿ Innovative plant hangers made by students for their houses in the community (Because of lack of space) under the project.

Plants:

Paudhandehi2014 - Present

Ÿ Tulsi (Basil), Aloe Vera, Mint, Ardusi and Lemon Grass

This 'Paudhandehi – be a plant buddy' project has not been just an eye opener for students but a wonderful learning experience for them. Many students have come forward to tell us that this project will be taken up year after year to develop a sustainable school environment.

It is my privilege to put on record the commitment, enthusiasm and devotion that Naman Parikh put up to bring the 'Green Cause'. It is his constant and consistent Endeavour to pass on the wonders of living on a vibrant green planet to his fellow being.

I wish him all the best.

Ms.KrishnammalScience Teacher Navrachana School, Vadodara

be a Plant Buddy...