Eco / Nature Club
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES 2022-2023
Greenline Session - A Fresh Start- 8/01/2024
The final Greenline session of a series of three sessions was conducted on 8th, January, 2024 in the media room at 1:15 p.m. The theme for this session was A Fresh Start.
The session began with a short powerpoint presentation which was explained in detail by Miss Neha. We were made aware about how water gets polluted through micro plastic and the amount of plastic waste we generate on a daily basis. Ms. Neha also spoke about coral bleaching and the effects of water pollution and how our actions play a role in further polluting water.
Another important aspect that we became aware about was the fact that the various chemical perfumes, detergents and cleaning liquids that we use daily too, contribute to polluting the water. To reduce this we were taught how to make bio-enzymes using eco-friendly ingredients like citrus peels, jaggery and water that can be used to clean the washrooms without polluting the water. Along with Ms. Neha our teachers- Ms. Heena, Ms. Adelaide and Ms. Valentina guided us in this process.
This session was engaging and informative and we learnt many important things from it. I would like to thank the Greenline team, our Manager Fr. Arul John Bosco s.j. and our eco/nature club teachers for giving us the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful session.
Krutik Mistry
(Std.9.2)
Ms. Adelaide Pereira Ms. Heena Pereira Ms. Valentina Saldanha
(Eco/ nature club co-ordinators)
‘Marine Marvels- A Walk by the Seashore’ (2/12/2023)
As our school is associated with GreenLine, the Nature/Eco Club of our school participates in various nature related activities conducted by them. A marine shore walk along the Haji Ali Coast was organised by them on 2nd December, 2023. Jaynil Dahibavkar and Suhaan Kheradia, from class 7 participated in it and they were accompanied by their parents.
The shore walk started at 9:30 a.m. The GreenLine coordinators introduced themselves and Mr. Aniket was our guide for the day. We were first given information about the small tidal pools and then we began exploring the area. We spotted countless little white dots at the bottom of the first pool which were snail eggs. We also saw tiny rock crabs, empty snail shell and also were able to pick a few of them. Right after in the second pool we saw Triton snail and also saw an anemone (coral). We made sure to click many photos and moved on. Then in huge pool near the intertidal zone we saw pistol shrimps, bandit sea anemone and clapping crab. Mr. Aniket explained the concept of exoskeleton in a fun way while holding the crab. He also told us that hermit crabs change their shell as they grow. In the last pool, we saw many creatures, one of them was the Elysian slug, which uses the chloroplast in its cell to create its own food.
Our trail ended with a group photo. We enjoyed the trail a lot. It was a very pleasant and informative experience to visit an intertidal area in such a busy place as Haji Ali. We discovered a lot of new things and are looking forward for more of these activities. We would like to thank ‘GreenLine’ for organising this fun and educative experience and our school and teacher Ms. Adelaide for giving us the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful shore walk.
Jaynil Dahibavkar Suhaan Kheradia Ms. Adelaide Pereira
Std.7.2 Std.7.1 Eco-club co-ordinator
Green Line Second Session (16/10/2023) - Diving in the Big Blues
The second session was conducted by ‘Green Line’ in school on 16th October, 2023 at 1:15 p.m. in the Media room. In keeping with Green Line’s theme for the year-‘Saving Blue’, the topic for the session was ‘Diving in the Big Blues.’
Ms. Neha and Ms. Zia were the speakers for the session.
The session began by recalling what was done in the first session and then we were asked what do we understand when we hear the term ‘Big Blues’. We then discussed about the major oceans of the world and were informed about the different zones in the marine biome (ocean), the depth of the zone and the species living in those zones. For eg: Epipelagic zone (Depth:0-200m) (Orcas). The other zones were Mesopelagic, Bathypelagic, Abyssopelagic and Hadalpelagic zone. The depth of the Hadalpelagic zone is up to 10,000 m.
After this we learned about the different types of marine organisms and their habitats in the water bodies. There was a quick activity in which we had to match the habitats to the marine organisms. We were then made aware about the threats that the water bodies and the marine life are experiencing and the protected marine species in Maharashtra.
The session concluded with the explanation of our tasks for the month of September, October and November followed by Aryan Babardesai giving the vote of thanks.
Experiencing Sanjay Gandhi National Park – GreenLine Activity – 22/8/2023
As part of ‘GreenLine activity’ a nature trail was organized for the schools associated with ‘GreenLine’ to Sanjay Gandhi national park on 22nd August 2023. Six schools were part of the trail, three students (Jaynil Dahibavkar, Burhanuddin Motiwala and Sarvesh Kardele) and one teacher (Ms. Adelaide Pereira) from St. Xavier’s Boys’ Academy and 6 other schools had been given this opportunity by ‘Greenline’ to experience the great flora and fauna of SGNP (Sanjay Gandhi National Park). SGNP is the biggest leopard enclosure in India located in Borivali. SGNP strives to keep the leopards safe in its vast land of 103.48 sq.km. and researchers and volunteers are also striving for peaceful co-existence between animals and humans. The SGNP has a vast amount of flora and fauna enclosing 280 birds, 1400 plants, 14 amphibians, 61 reptiles, 40 mamals,150 butterflies etc. There are many ranges to explore like the Tulsi Range, Krishnagiri Range, Yeur Range, Shilonda Trail, the Nagla Block, etc.
We left from school for the park at 7:10 a.m. and reached SNGP by 8:45a.m. where we were greeted by the members of ‘GreenLine’. We were first taken to an auditorium (Information Centre) where they showed us a documentary on SGNP and the DO’s and DON’TS were explained if we spotted a leopard. After that we were taken to the start of the Shilonda trail by buggies. Our botanist guide-Ms. Kiran Sharma showed and explained to us the various, plants, insects and animal species found along the trail. Our trail ended at a river where everyone rested and had their lunch and took some photos. Then it was time to head back to the park’s entrance and we walked all the way back to the entry point. We left the park at 1:45 p.m. and reached school safely.
It was a very pleasant and informative experience to visit a forest area amidst a bustling city like Mumbai. We would like to thank our Principal - Ms. Preema Noronha for giving us the permission to go on this trail, Ms. Adelaide Pereira for accompanying us and ‘GreenLine’ for organising this fun and educative experience.
Sarvesh Kardele Ms. Adelaide Pereira
Class 9.2 Eco-Club Co-ordinator
Green Line First Session (25/07/2023)- The Story of Water
The first session was conducted by Green Line in school on 25th July, 2023 at 1:15 p.m. in the Media room. In keeping with Green Line’s theme for the year- Saving Blue, the topic for the session was ‘The Story of Water.’ Ms. Karen Pereira and Mr. Aniket were the speakers for the session.
We were made aware about how we are polluting our oceans and also how the quality of water is constantly deteriorating. We then discussed the various uses of water after which an activity on how much water we use in our day-to-day life was conducted. We learnt about the distribution of water on the Earth and also about the seven reservoirs and four lakes from which Mumbai gets its fresh water. We were informed of how the city of Mumbai on an average uses 5355 million litres of water in a day. The interesting part that we were made aware of was the water footprint- indirect and direct water footprint in which direct means the water which we use in our houses and indirect is when we consume products that use water.
The session concluded with the speakers giving and explaining to us our tasks for the month of July and August followed by Ms. Adelaide Pereira thanking the speakers. In this way we learnt about our water consumption and how we should try to reduce its wastage.
Haider Kanchwala Ms. Adelaide Pereira
Class 7.2 Eco- Club Co-ordinator
Teachers’ Orientation Programme -24/6/2023 (The Green School Campaign 2023–2024)
The teachers’ orientation programme for the Green School Campaign (GSC) 2023–2024 was held on 24th June 2023, from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Don Bosco A.V. hall in Matunga. Ms. Adelaide Pereira and Ms. Heena Pereira attended the orientation. Tea and biscuits were served before the programme began. The orientation started with the introduction of the Green Line team for this year with Fr. Leon Cruz as the director and Ms. Neha Bhandare the GSC Programme Officer.
"Saving Blue" is the theme for this academic year. Ms. Neha and Ms. Karen briefly introduced the theme which was followed by a short video on how unchecked plastic pollution in our rivers is harming our ecosystem. Fr. Leon then addressed us and stressed upon the need of valuing water and keeping our oceans and water bodies clean.
A quiz was conducted for the teachers based on the theme and the teachers of St. Xavier’s Boys’ Academy along with teachers of two other school won the quiz and received a small hamper from the Greenline team. After this the Green School Campaign schedule and functioning was explained in detail which was followed by a question-and-answer session to clear our doubts. At 12:15 p.m. the programme came to an end and the teachers were treated to a packed lunch.
Ms. Adelaide Pereira Ms. Heena Pereira
Eco Club Coordinators
World Environment Day - 5th June 2023
On the occasion of World Environment day our students from SXBA under the inspiring guidance of our parent Mrs. Vengurlekar and her son Aarav Vengurlekar together with a group of budding artists of our school painted these benches most creatively as part of their commitment to the NGO ‘ Project Mumbai’ activity. I am proud of this group for making time during their vacation to make good their promise to this NGO and for braving the heat that was most unbearable and terribly uncomfortable. Cheers to these Eco Club warriors.
Ms. P. Noronha
Principal
